Football
Kevin Palmer 10y

Wenger: Alexis Sanchez is a striker

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he intends to deploy his high-profile summer signing Alexis Sanchez as a striker in the upcoming season.

- Mangan: Arsenal beaming after bright summer
- McNicholas: RvP, Henry in Arsenal's Ex files

Wenger surprised some Arsenal supporters when he stated earlier this month that he has no intention of signing another forward, even though his attacking line looked a little weak last season with Olivier Giroud and Yaya Sanogo as his lead marksmen.

Sanchez, who signed from Barcelona last month, has often been utilised as a winger throughout his career, but Wenger believes the Chile star can thrive in a more central role.

"He is a striker and he's a good finisher," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "He made a great impression in Italy [with Udinese] -- I saw him there and he was really outstanding.

"Then at Barcelona it was a bit more difficult, but it's like you could see with Neymar at Barcelona, because there you have Lionel Messi. You see Neymar with Brazil and Neymar with Barcelona and it's not the same. I like the fact he can play left, right, up front and that's why I went for him.

"At the moment I want to see him in both positions, but I took him because he is a player who has the qualities of [Theo] Walcott, he goes behind the defenders off the ball. And with the quality of his runs he can be very important for us."

Wenger successfully converted Frenchman Thierry Henry into a potent leading striker after signing him as a winger.

^ Back to Top ^