Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal can capitalise on the turnover of talent at Barcelona and Real Madrid, explaining that the competition for places at what he called the “big, big clubs” is the reason he was able to sign Alexis Sánchez and Mesut Özil.

Despite the surprise over their availability, Özil was surplus to requirements at Real after they bought Gareth Bale two years ago and Arsenal were quick to offer Sánchez a way out of Barcelona after the arrival of Luis Suárez last summer. Wenger pointed out that Chelsea have benefited from Pedro’s frustration over his lack of playing time at Barcelona and that Real let Arjen Robben go to Bayern Munich six years ago.

“What is new for us, there are two ways,” the Arsenal manager said. “Before, when we were building the stadium, the big clubs came to buy the players from us. Now we are in a position where we can keep our big players but sometimes there are so many big players in the other big, big clubs who are good but do not play. So after a year or two you can get a good deal. Sánchez is a case. Pedro is another case. Arjen Robben is another.”

Sánchez is Arsenal’s agent of chaos, spreading fear in opposition defences with his drive and technical ability. “He has that desire to go forward and provoke,” Wenger said. “He is a guy who provokes chaos in the defences because he has a go at you. He does not go across, he goes straight. His desire to go forward, to provoke opponents, to run at people, creates danger.”

The winger returned early from his summer after winning the Copa América with Chile and started in Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace last Sunday, even though he was not up to full speed. He should be sharper against Liverpool on Monday.

“I believe we missed our sharpness in the first game,” Wenger said. “In the second game we were much better. That means it was not physical, it was more mental in our first game. Maybe we were a bit too much thinking that we would win this game. We realised that we have to give more. But Sánchez plays to win in every single game.

“What Sanchez has is in the first two yards he is lightning quick. He has that explosive attitude linked with his spirit. That makes him even more spectacular.”