Alexis Sanchez. The man, the myth, the legend. What a signing he’s proved for Arsenal FC. Every game, he continues giving 110% and improving. Just when you thought you had seen it all, he comes up with something special out of nothing. The Ox summed up how everyone related to AFC is feeling about him now:

Sanchez is a world-class player – everyone saw that at the World Cup. He’s proved that and he’s played for Barcelona where we’ve all seen what he’s done. He’s an unbelievable player and part of his game is his character and his hard work – that’s where he’s got both his goals from today. He reminds me of Luis Suarez when he chases everything down and he makes nothing into something. He’s done that for us twice today and he’s scored goals at important times for us.

On Saturday, he once again rose to the occasion to force two vital errors out of a stubborn Sunderland defense. Another highlight of the Sunderland match was the Arteta-Flamini partnership that blocked pretty much everything that the Black Cats managed to throw at us, and allowed Alexis to stay in a more advanced position throughout the 90 minutes. Without Jack (who recently spoke on adding goals to his game) and Rambo, we looked a much more balanced side at the Stadium of Light. I’m by no means implying that we are a better team without them. Wenger has to find a balance between our box-to-box and defensive midfielders. Having said that, I don’t think that even Wenger knows what our best/most balance team is when everyone is fully fit and available. As mentioned in my last post, as much as I would like to, I can’t see Jack and Rambo playing together in the midfield with their current games if we are to strike a balance, especially against bigger teams.

Nacho Monreal was another player who played brilliantly. The much-maligned left-back-turned-center-back had an extremely impressive game at the heart of the defense. The skeptics among us would claim that it was with Flamini and Arteta protecting the defense, and against a team that lost 0-8 to Southampton in their last game. However, even after Nacho had switched to LB, he continued playing with confidence – something that we haven’t seen a lot of this season. It’s crucial that he continues in the same vein of form given Gibbs’s niggling injury issues. Monreal’s performance in the last game earned him a call-up to the team of the week along with Alexis.

Many had hoped that Theo Walcott would finally step onto the pitch but he was spared by Wenger. It was the right move, as the situation doesn’t demand risking him, given how well Alexis is playing on the right wing. Come the Man Utd game after the international break, however, we may finally see Alexis and Theo wreak havoc on opposing wings.

‘My imagination works like yours,’ said Wenger when pressed on the prospect of Walcott joining forces with the Chilean forward.

Meanwhile, Hayden, Bellerin and Akpom have all been officially promoted to the first-team. This comes at a good time in the midst of a mini-injury crisis (when are we ever not in one?). And finally, in the most bizarre news of the week, Lukas Podolski is set to feature in the 2015 German comedy film “Macho Man”, where he will be playing himself. Here’s what he said in regards to the film:

The film will be shot in my hometown Cologne, where I grew up and where my career started. My scene takes place in the stadium and it’s really funny, I think. I am curious to see the result when I go to the premiere and see myself on the screen.

Burnley this weekend should be a pretty straightforward contest, especially considering that it will be played at the Emirates. Look for Kos to continue to sit out and rest his Achilles with Gibbs passing a late fitness test and making the squad. Good news on the injury front as both Debuchy and Ozil are back in the gym and are progressing faster than initially expected.

Good session yesterday !! 👍 thanks for your messages pic.twitter.com/T6UZ6MarQU — Mathieu debuchy (@MatDebuchy) October 28, 2014

I'm relieved about yesterday's victory but nevertheless these weights feel heavy on my shoulders … 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/gj6TcVacda — Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) October 23, 2014

The most worrying aspect for Wenger, however would be the midfield pairing. Should Jack and Ramsey start? Mikel and Flamini? What about Santi? The situation only gets more complicated when Ozil returns as he will be vying for the same position with Santi. Wenger’s verdict so far has been to play either one of them out of position – potentially throwing off the team balance. It’s something that Arsene will have to continue pondering on and tinkering about with; eventually he will have to make some tough decisions to do what’s better for the team. Let’s hope he makes the right ones.

Here’s the DialSquare predicted line-up:

Szczesny

Chambers – Per – Monreal – Gibbs

Arteta – Ramsey

Alexis – Jack – Santi

Dat Guy

Result: 3-0 to the Arsenal

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