Mikel Arteta says he’s surprised by how quickly Alexis Sanchez has adapted to life in the Premier League, describing the Chilean striker as a ‘bull’ now that he’s reached full fitness.
The 25-year-old striker has turned heads in recent weeks with 10 goals in his last 12 games – including 7 in the Premier League – helping Arsenal to fourth in the table despite Arsene Wenger’s side looking disjointed in several early season outings.
Drawing particular attention to the work Sanchez does off the ball, Arteta praised the summer signing’s boundless energy and the way his constant toiling helps his teammates.
“South Americans in England normally find it a bit hard,” Arteta told press ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League showdown with Anderlecht on Tuesday.
“When you’re an attacking player and people are expecting a lot from you, sometimes it’s even more difficult.
“He’s a bull – he goes again and again. That’s the only secret with Alexis, he wants to get better and better. That’s the way he is.
“I don’t think we are surprised by his performances but we are with how he’s adapted to the Premier League.
“As the boss said, he found it a bit hard in the first few weeks but now he’s found the platform and the confidence and physically he is the level he needs to be at because his game is very demanding. The way he’s contributing to the team and the spirit of the group as well is very good.
“It is easy and nice [to play alongside him], because it makes our job easier when you have a player in his form scoring goals for the team. It’s very helpful, but as well how he looks after the people around him and [the hard work] he does in every game is something we need to highlight.
“He gets more highlights with his goals, assists and his tricks, but his hard work and his [work] ethic in every game is very important as well.”
It’s been ‘Death in the Afternoon’ for Sunderland and Burnley on consecutive Saturdays. Fingers crossed Anderlecht and Swansea get the same treatment this week before another interminable Interlull…
I bet he can play in central defense too; put in a crunching tackle on RVP, steal the ball, run up the other end, put De Gea on his arse, and score.
What a player that lad! Just buyme the nexus 6 will ya.
I got Alexis’s shirt from Saturday!
And my son’s Arsenal babygrow is being signed by all the players too!!
I love this picture! It’s perfection
Most beautiful bull I’ve ever seen! Two thumbs up for the pic!
physically he is the level he needs to be at because HIS game is very demanding? no Arteta, not his game but the game. You all need to follow in his footsteps.
Mate he’s on about the way alexis plays, you can’t expect all the 11 players to be sprinting around like he does, that would be shambles…
lol..Arteta sounded like some lazy glory digger
Everything about Alexis is inspiring I see other guys on the team emulating him soon..
The greatest way players can appreciate this unleashed bull is to be on the same wavelength with him. If they all raise their game, believe me, this team has the ammunition to run Chelsea close. I formed 2 teams with every one fit and they were both strong line-ups. Only one space was vacant – a CB. Team 1 Scz.. Debuchy.. Mert.. Kos.. Gibbs Arteta.. Ramsey Ozil Walcott Welbeck Sanchez. That’s my first team. TEAM2 Ospina Bellerin.. Calum.. CB?…Monreal Flam… Wilshere Carzola Ox….. Giroud…. Podolski If this is not strength-in-depth, I wonder what is. As you can see, we need… Read more »
Cback will do this season.
Next summer, we will have to deal with Arteta, Podolski, Rosicky.
Some solutions may offer themselves internally with Campbell, Gnabry in queue and later down the line Hayden and Zelalem (not to mention Crowley, Akpom, Sanogo)
But will need maybe 2 players in midfield.
first the Cback this Jan.
Flamini has been solid enough and Arteta is good till next summer.
Does no one remember Rosicky nowadays?!!
He is part of the 25.
well, i think we do not only need a defender or two but also a young, strong and experienced defensive midfielder next year. cause flamini and arteta are getting old and slow.
i would suggest david alaba. hes one o the best left backs but also a very good DM with a nearly fabregassian overview. and he is 22
I still Feel bad for Alexis’s Girlfriend…He Keeps on going Non Stop
She should be more than happy, tbh. 😉
Hey, I compared Alexis to a well-endowed South American first! I’m gonna sue Arteta for unpaid royalties.
Excellent Hemingway reference @AAllenSport. I salute you!
Absolutely brilliant image, great work all round.
He is one big bad bull alright, but a very beautiful and strong bull.
That picture is a work of genius!!
If he sees it I can imagine him hanging it on his wall at home 😀
Oh no, sorry, he’s not brendan rogers!! Ha Ha
Interbulllull
I know it’s early days still and he’ll obviously have off games and patches of bad form. But this may be one of Wenger’s best ever signings. Genuinely excited whenever he has the ball and he’s only got better the longer he’s been here
That’s just the thing. The way he works, he’ll still do a lot on his off days, no doubt about it. Brilliant player.
I think Podolski is making a very strong case for himself. Goal in Belgium. Almost scored two against Burnley in a very brief spell. Maybe not the entire game but he must surely be a feasible and indeed desirable weapon in our arsenal. Walcott also looks sharp considering long lay off. Again probably a short spell since its a question of fitness and sustenance. There could also be a role for Campbell. Poor chap can’t get a look in at the moment but I thought his movement and intelligence on the ball was good in recent feature. Competition for space… Read more »
I had pretty much written Podolski off but I’m impressed by his turn around in form. He’s playing like someone with something to prove and even though he might be best used as an impact sub he’s an excellent alternative when in form
When Sanchez was playing in Italy he lost his car keys…he ran 8Km back to his place to get replacements and ran back to his car.
What a beast!
The other members of the team had better follow his example. I imagine an angry bull in the dressing room can be quite frightful.
Up The Arsenal!
What a short time for a player to become my favourite, I’m so obsessed with him that when I play on Saturdays, our usual 4 players a-side, I roll up my short, the left leg just like he does. Alexis, just keep doing what you’re doing. I love you so much! No homo! Though!
I’m offensive and I find this bull