Alexis Sanchez helped Chile capture the Copa America this summer. Elsa/Getty Images

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez says he is on the same level as superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Quoted by Spanish daily newspaper Sport, Sanchez said: "I have reached a level where I can compete with great players. I do not feel inferior to anybody.

"I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them."

Sanchez joined Arsenal from Barcelona in a £30 million deal two years ago and has since gone on to lift the FA Cup as well as finishing second in the Premier League last season.

The Chile international also helped his country win the Copa America Centenario during the summer, successfully defending their title with a penalty shootout victory over Lionel Messi's Argentina.

The 27-year-old captained La Roja in a goalless draw at home against Bolivia on Tuesday, the latest setback in a frustrating World Cup qualifying campaign thus far.

Chile have won just three of their first eight qualifiers and are two points off the pace for a spot in Russia, and Sanchez said he was annoyed by Bolivia's time-wasting.

"I couldn't take it! They made me want to stop them and keep playing," he said. "Those are minutes that you lose. In the end, we played into their game."