Arsene Wenger says the decision to move Alexis Sanchez to the right flank has helped the forward rediscover his best form for Arsenal.
Sanchez was one of the few bright spots for the Gunners in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday that all but killed off their remaining Premier League title hopes.The Chile forward scored for the third straight game when he put Arsenal ahead with a header just before half-time.
After a long scoring drought following his return from a hamstring injury, Sanchez now has four goals and two assists in his last five Premier League games, and a total of 10 league goals this season.
"He is much sharper," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "He is much more electric in his dribbling and much more confident. He scores goals again. I still believe on the right side he is much more clinical, since he has come back into this position he scores more goals."
Sanchez's return to form has coincided with Alex Iwobi's emergence for Arsenal on the opposite wing to the Chilean. While the two often switch positions during games, Sanchez has been playing more on the right side recently after spending much of the season on the left.
"He looks to me to be more comfortable in his movement, especially in his movement in behind," Wenger said. "When he plays on the left, he likes to drift in then come back. When he plays on the right, his runs in behind the defenders are better."
While Arsenal have only a theoretical chance of catching leaders Leicester, the Chilean's strong form could prove vital in the battle for a top-four finish. Arsenal are now back in the familiar fourth spot, behind Manchester City on goal difference, with Manchester United chasing four points behind.