SMART ALEX
But did pals snub 2-goal Sanchez?
ALEXIS SANCHEZ showed why Arsenal will be desperate to keep hold of him in next month’s transfer window with a match-winning brace in a 3-2 victory at crystal Palace last night.
But the chilean, who is out of contract in the summer and is strongly linked with a move to Manchester city, has had his commitment to the club questioned and some teammates declined to join in celebrating with the forward.
Arsenal led through shkodran Mustafi but Andros Townsend levelled after the interval. sanchez then ensured Arsene Wenger’s record-equalling 810th Premier league game ended in victory, despite James Tomkins’ late goal.
Alexis sanchez is one of the elite breed of footballers capable of seizing a game when they fancy and shaking it into a different shape.
he used to do it often, back in the days when his energy, willpower and goals fuelled arsenal’s ambition. This season, not so much. Without playing especially badly, he has not been quite the same source of inspiration.
not until last night when, four days before the year ends and the transfer market opens, the sanchez of old returned with a bang, with two goals in four second- half minutes. it was the first time he had struck twice in one game since May and it proved enough to secure three points for an arsenal team who have been struggling to win away from home.
even then, the focus was drawn to the team’s muted celebrations, sparking comments from Thierry henry and Graeme souness in the sky sports studio about team spirit. These were not well received by arsene Wenger but thorny questions about sanchez will not go away until he signs a new contract or leaves the club.
The same can be said for Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere, also out of contract at the end of the season and both impressive last night.
shkodran Mustafi struck first to give the visitors at half-time lead but andros Townsend levelled soon after the interval. selhurst Park was rocking and the home crowd detected blood when sanchez stepped forward. One flash of his right boot restored arsenal’s lead and one burst of pace and a deft touch with the outside of his right thigh helped him to control a splendid pass from Wilshere and make it 3-1.
James Tomkins reduced the deficit in the closing minutes with a header from a corner but Wenger’s team survived on a night when the manager equalled sir alex Ferguson’s record of 810 Premier league games.
Palace had opened with the confidence of a team unbeaten in their previous eight games and, with two up front and Wilfried zaha in threatening form, did not come out with a plan to stifle the contest. if anything, their sense of adventure provided arsenal with the time and space to settle into their rhythm and the visitors were well on top by the time Mustafi broke the deadlock.
Julian speroni gathered one effort from Wilshere, impressive in midfield as he started a fourth Premier league game in a row, but despite making plenty of saves the Palace goalkeeper did not exude authority. speroni pushed aside alexandre lacazette’s curling shot straight to Mustafi and the centre half adjusted his feet quickly to apply a clean finish, first-time from an acute angle.
There was a hint of offside against sanchez as lacazette went for goal but there was no proof he had interfered with the goalkeeper’s vision. The goal stood and travelling fans celebrated with a chorus mocking their own disappointing away form.
arsenal might have settled the game before half-time but missed a cluster of opportunities.
speroni made a splendid reflex save to deny Ozil as he burst clear on to a pass from sanchez and lacazette lashed another effort wide. Ozil sliced through again to confront the goalkeeper again but was unable to fashion a shot on goal. instead he tried to squeeze the ball square to lacazette and the pass was too heavy.
zaha was booked as he argued with referee Michael Oliver at halftime and Roy hodgson’s team were fired up when they returned.
Townsend swept in the equaliser from a cross by zaha, who then forced Petr cech into a save and released Jeffrey schlupp, who buried a shot into the side-netting from an angle.
Palace sensed the victory but sanchez had other ideas.
First, the chilean pounced on a ball laid back in the penalty box by lacazette, and lashed it towards goal. his shot flew through the legs of Tomkins and beat speroni for power at his near post. Four
minutes later, Wilshere picked out his run with a long pass from midfield. Sanchez took a touch on the run and poked the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Tomkins sparked a breathless finish through four minutes of added time but there was no late equaliser for Crystal Palace
For them, a first defeat in nine games and an end, for the time being at least, to their upward mobility under Hodgson.
For Arsenal, three points keep them in touch with the top four and more scrutiny on Sanchez as the transfer market prepares for business.