Sanchez scores hat-trick of hat-tricks

ALEXIS SANCHEZ returned to form for Arsenal on Saturday with a hat-trick against Leicester, which propelled his side to an entertaining 5-2 victory in the Premier League.

But the Chile international’s treble also completed a remarkable personal feat, as he became the first man to score a three goals in a game in Serie A, La Liga and the topflight in England.

Sanchez’s first hat-trick came in Italy, when he was playing for Udinese, in February 2011.

He netted three times in the first half of his side’s encounter against Palermo as they thrashed the Sicilian team 7-0. Mainly thanks to Sanchez, pictured, they were leading 4-0 at the break.

His scintillating form in Italy caught the eye of Barcelona, who swooped to sign him five months later for £23 million.

His treble on Spanish shores came in January 2014, his final season at the Nou Camp, as he led his side to a 4-0 victory against Elche.

He sealed his hat-trick with a thunderous free-kick from 30 yards.

But later that year, he departed the Catalan giants as they moved to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool.

Sanchez headed for the Premier League with Arsenal and was an instant hit with supporters at the Emirates.

He has had a slow start to his second season in England, perhaps a little jaded after leading Chile to Copa America victory in the summer, but returned to form at the King Power stadium on Saturday.

His treble guided Arsenal to a hard -fought victory against Leicester, who were beaten in the league for the first time this season.

“Alexis is a top-quality player and even when he is not scoring goals he works so hard for us,” Sanchez’s teammate Theo Walcott said. “I am sure he’s going to flourish now with many, many more important goals.” – Reuters