Alexis Sanchez is Arsenal's 'quiet' Ian Wright, says Wenger
Chilean striker's energy was sorely missed against Spurs, but he will return against Leicester
This season is all about new icons in north London, and while Spurs fans pay homage to hero Harry Kane after the north London derby, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has likened his latest talisman, Alexis Sanchez, to one of the most iconic Gunners figures of the Premier League era – Ian Wright.
Sanchez was missing from the Arsenal line-up at White Hart Lane but will return for the match against Leicester City at the Emirates tonight.
Welcoming him back with evident relief, Wenger said: "He is loved by everybody. He is very friendly and bubbly every day. He is our best goalscorer and one of our hardest working players in the team. Physically we suffered a little bit on some occasions on Saturday. It's good to have him back."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When asked if he reminded him of any former players Wenger added: "He is a bit like Ian Wright. The enthusiasm of Wright, he has that, but quieter, which is not that difficult. And he doesn't get booked."
Sanchez will be tasked with injecting "the spark and endeavour" back into Arsenal, says The Times. He was "sorely missed" on Saturday, says the Daily Mail, which describes him as Arsenal's "stand-out player since his £30m move from Barcelona in the summer".
Wenger also admitted that had the game at Spurs been the final match of the season he would have risked the all-action Chilean, but feared that if he were to aggravate his hamstring problem he could have missed the rest of the current campaign – an all-too familiar fate for Arsenal players.
Wright, who played for the Gunners from 1991 to 1998, scored 185 goals in 288 appearances, and replaced Cliff Bastin as the club's record scorer, a title he held until he was overtaken by Thierry Henry in 2005.
Sanchez has some way to go before he has his name in the Arsenal record books. But he has made a decent start: since arriving in the summer he has managed 18 goals so far in his debut season.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Can England's Euros team hold their nerve?
Today's Big Question Three Lions' 'lopsided' opening win over Serbia raises more questions than it answers
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
‘Captain fantastic’: Harry Kane’s most memorable England goals
feature Kane has overtaken Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’s all-time leading goalscorer
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
A World Cup of missed opportunities for England, Southgate and Kane
feature Three Lions boss Southgate will take time to consider his future after defeat to France
By Mike Starling Published
-
England ‘can’t win the World Cup’ without captain Harry Kane
Speed Read Despite an ankle scan, there is ‘confidence within the camp’ Kane will be fit for USA clash
By Mike Starling Published