Arsene Wenger has likened Alexis to Ian Wright - because the Chilean shares the Arsenal legend's enthusiasm for the game.

Alexis is back in Wenger's squad for Tuesday's game against Leicester City after missing two games with a hamstring problem.

The 26-year-old is raring to go after sitting out the north London derby and Wenger says that Arsenal's top scorer reminds him of another prolific striker.

"Ian Wright… he is a bit like Ian Wright," said the manager. "He has the enthusiasm of Ian Wright. He is quieter than him but that is not difficult and he doesn’t get booked!

"He is dynamic and he does both parts of the game. He’s important in the team because of that, because he wins you the ball back quickly as well"

“Alexis is more with the Spanish players of course but he is loved by everybody. He is very friendly and bubbly every day.

"It was difficult for him not to play [at Tottenham]," added Wenger. "If it was the last game of the season he would have played.

"He is dynamic and he does both parts of the game. He’s important in the team because of that, because he wins you the ball back quickly as well. The transitions are very good from defence to attack and attack to defence."

Alexis has enjoyed a stellar debut season in England, scoring 18 goals in 30 starts for Arsenal. His work ethic has been just as impressive and Wenger believes a rested Alexis can propel his team to success.

"He has had a bit of a winter break now, one that he didn’t really want," said the manager. "But he got one and I think he will now be recovered and fit until the end of the season.

“For us it is important that he has no setback as, once you go into February, if you have a muscular injury and a guy has a setback, you say ‘bye bye’ as the season is over as it is six weeks out.

"By the time you come back to your full level it is April and that is why we didn’t take the gamble [by playing him at Tottenham]."