It was another difficult night for Arsenal at the Emirates, but Alexis Sanchez's late strike eventually secured a third straight victory. The Chilean is allowing Arsene Wenger to dream, writes Matthew Stanger…
Thursday 4 December 2014 08:51, UK
Right man, right place, right time. Alexis Sanchez's eighth goal in his last seven matches helped Arsenal move just three points behind Wednesday's high-flying opponents, but it was another night on which Arsene Wenger's nerves were tested.
The Gunners had fortune in their favour. Morgan Schneiderlin was ruled out of the clash against his reported summer suitors with a thigh injury sustained in the defeat to Manchester City, and his replacement Jack Cork hobbled off with only half an hour played.
The forced change came back to bite Ronald Koeman, with Toby Alderweireld's late hamstring problem leaving Southampton a man short in the closing stages. Arsenal pushed for a winner and Sanchez, their most reliable player this season, duly obliged.
It was the Chilean's 14th strike in only 22 appearances following his £35m transfer from Barcelona. That equates to 42 per cent of the Gunners' goals in the Premier League and Champions League, a total to defy those who claim it takes time to settle in England.
"He never gives up and he was in the right place at the right time again," said Aaron Ramsey afterwards. It is no coincidence that Sanchez has a knack for providing the crucial breakthrough.
In truth, this was not one of the 25-year-old's more impressive displays as Arsenal toiled to a third successive victory. But he still made the difference. It is often said that the sign of a great team is one that can win when not playing to its potential and the same is surely true of individual stars.
Closely guarded by Southampton's defence, Sanchez struggled to make an impact in a difficult first half which marked the 12th time this season that the Gunners have failed to hold a lead at the interval.
He was fouled more than any other player, a statistic maintained at the final whistle, while his only attempt on goal was a speculative effort from the halfway line that was immediately charged down by Nathaniel Clyne. It was clear that Arsenal were in a fight for every inch as they looked to avenge September's League Cup defeat.
But that is exactly where Sanchez excels, a player who made his Chile debut at 17 only two years after the local mayor paid for his first pair of boots. Every time he was brought down, he got straight back up; every failed attack was followed by another roll of the dice.
The 85th minute brought what looked to be the defining moment of his evening. Sanchez's loose pass down the right rolled straight to Saints sub Sadio Mane and, as he sprinted to win back the ball, the Chilean slipped, felling his opponent and conceding a free-kick. Sighs of frustration echoed around the Emirates; three minutes later supporters were celebrating another late winner.
Olivier Giroud's introduction proved to be the turning point. With Danny Welbeck struggling to find a way behind the Premier League's meanest defence, the Frenchman's arrival allowed Arsenal to go more direct. Sanchez immediately spied an opportunity as he spotted Giroud peeling off his marker and clipped a perfect ball over the top only to see Fraser Forster deny the striker with a stunning save.
The combination almost worked again soon after, this time Sanchez firing a pass into Giroud's feet which he then sent on to Welbeck with a delightful back heel. Forster was there again, but the moment was coming.
With the clock ticking down, the ball fell to Ramsey in the box. Drawing Southampton's defenders towards him like magnets, the Welshman managed to wriggle the ball through for Sanchez to calmly slot home. Before the game the forward was caught on camera joking about the height of his poster on the Emirates tunnel wall; here his small frame worked to his advantage as he ghosted in to grab three precious points.
The result leaves Arsenal 13 behind Chelsea with 14 matches played, but Wenger remains hopeful that his side can catch the leaders. When asked before the game if the Gunners can still challenge for the title, the manager said: "I think we have what is required to do it. We have to fight like mad now to come back as much as possible to show that we can compete in every single game."
It is certainly an enormous task, but with Sanchez in the team Arsenal are still allowed to dream.
