Wenger salutes Suarez-like Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is thriving in his new role as a central striker and Arsene Wenger has likened him to Luis Suarez.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has compared Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona star Luis Suarez and believes the Chilean is becoming a better central striker with every game he plays.
Wenger has deployed Sanchez in a different role this term following injuries to Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud, choosing the former Barca winger ahead of new signing Lucas Perez.
Sanchez has impressed in a central position, scoring five goals in his last six games across all competitions, but while Wenger did liken him to Suarez, he was not initially convinced by him as a centre-forward.
He told Sky Sports: "First of all I had big competition up front. I thought Welbeck could play there, Giroud was playing there with different qualities and I reflected for a long time at the end of the season.
"I decided to try Sanchez [up front]. He has similarities with Luis Suarez. At the start many people questioned that decision.
"I must say the few times I tried him before, he was not convincing in this position. You start to think is that a wrong decision or do I have to give him more time?
"In the first two games I was not completely convinced but now, game after game, he's growing into this position and getting better and better.
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"Where he's strong is that he can dribble, finish and he can also give a final ball."