Alexis Sanchez’s arrival at Arsenal from Barcelona, during the summer signalled the second marquee signing for Arsene Wenger, and Arsenal, in consecutive summers. After witnessing record signing Mesut Ozil arrive from Spanish giants Real Madrid, who would have ever imagined that Arsenal would raid their Spanish rivals for another Superstar, the following year?
The Chilean has been Arsenal’s best attacking player so far this season. The fast-paced attacker has settled into the Premier League, and at only 25 years old, he has his best years ahead of him.
The former Udinese and Barcelona forward has a mixture of creativity, energy and toughness that makes him a handful for opposing defenders. The work rate that he has showed constantly over the years with Chile, Udinese and Barcelona has transferred to the Emirates Stadium.
The 5ft tall Chilean, has not always led such a joyful life. Alexis grew up in a poverty stricken Chile, in a mining town highlighted (Tocopilla). The tenacious forward used to perform on the street in order to earn some money at the age of six.
From a recent interview with The Sun on Sunday, Alexis’s brother Humberto re-enforced the Arsenal’s forward’s journey.
Humberto said: “Alexis had nothing when growing up. He had to fight for everything he has. His poor background is what makes him so hungry to succeed on the pitch. He knows how lucky he is to be where he is and never forgets where he comes from.”
Nicknamed ‘El Nino Marvailla’, Arsenal’s £30 million talisman scored his 12th goal in 18 appearances for the Gunners in their defeat against Swansea City on Sunday.
Pic by: @Stuart_PhotoAFC
After drawing many comparisons to his South American compatriot Luis Suarez for his willingness to both defend and attack from the front, Alexis has that “bite” about him that many of his team mates don’t.
The red hot Chilean has seen his club falter this season with many low-points after a successful 2013-2014 season where Arsenal won their first trophy in under a decade after Aaron Ramsey’s winner in the F.A. Cup final.
Theo Walcott is another player who admires Alexis’s dedication to work hard.
Theo told Talksport:
“In training he doesn’t even want to do recovery days. That’s how much he loves football. He doesn’t care, he just wants to play and win. He’s a good leader, and something that we haven’t had in the Arsenal team before. He’s a dream to play with.”
It has been a blistering start to Alexis’s career in England. When he was just a toddler, Sanchez saw his father abandon him and grew up watching his mother work several jobs. The Chilean has many memories growing up where he used to play football on dirty streets in rural Chile. However, this season he is gracing English football and most importantly, the Emirates with his skill & flair.
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