Gunners still missing something in big games
Thursday 27 November 2014 09:28, UK
Graeme Souness believes Alexis Sanchez is vital to Arsenal this season, not just for his goals but also his attitude.
The Chilean midfielder scored a superb long-range goal as Arsenal registered a fine 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Sanchez has been a revelation for the Gunners since joining from Barcelona in the summer, and has now scored seven in his last six appearances for Arsene Wenger’s men.
“He’s a real plus for Arsenal this year,” said Souness. “He’s getting all types of goals, and on top of his goals he makes other people play because he’s infectious.
“He has perpetual motion, he never gives up on any cause, and you can see what his goals mean to him. He lives and breathes football and it must be an absolute delight to play with him, and that makes other people play.
“If you’ve got somebody turning up every day for training – he’ll be first in the group, doing all the running properly, he’ll show great enthusiasm – that will be infectious to the lesser lights in that Arsenal squad, the younger players, the ones that maybe don’t have the same attitude. Players like him are priceless in your group.”
The morale-boosting result against Dortmund halted a run of three games without a win in all competitions, and means they will be in the Champions League knockout stages for the 12th consecutive campaign.
When they’re in full flow they’re as good as anyone, but there’s something missing from their game which time and time again hurts them
Sky Sports pundit Souness admits he enjoys Arsenal’s style of play, but believes their inconsistency and occasional lack of discipline are a source of real frustration for the fans.
“For half an hour against Manchester United they were fabulous, and that is Arsenal,” he added.
“You can look at Arsenal and think ‘what a good team they are’ – when they’re on the ball, the way they move forward, they pass teams to death, they create chances.
“But then they do daft things, crazy things – people just ignore their duties at times and it costs them games.
“I’m a fan of Arsenal, but if I was a true Arsenal supporter I’d be a very frustrated person on lots of Saturday nights because I think they’re just a near miss. When they’re in full flow they’re as good as anyone, but there’s something missing from their game which time and time again hurts them, and it costs them big in big games.”
