Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger hailed the performance of his team following the 5-2 win over Leicester City. The game also saw Alexis Sanchez return to his goal-scoring best and Wenger did not shy away from labeling the Chilean as ‘world class’.
Jamie Vardy opened the scoring for Claudio Ranieri’s high-flying Leicester City, and Arsenal FC looked under pressure. Theo Walcott soon equalized before Alexis Sanchez tapped in to give the Gunners the lead. The Chilean then headed home a delightful Mesut Ozil chipped ball, before completing his hat-trick with a low finish from outside of the box.
Jamie Vardy pulled one back for the Foxes, but their unbeaten start to the campaign came to an end as Olivier Giroud’s stoppage time goal proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
I think I have plenty of players that are world class — Arsene Wenger
Speaking in the post-match press conference, as quoted by the club’s official website, Wenger said:
“He is back to his level. He won a big competition with Chile – the Copa America. I think as well mentally to adjust to the game on a mental level takes some time. I could see in training a different player in the last week or two and he has shown that today. I believe going forward he always looked dangerous. “
When asked if the Chilean was ‘world class’, Wenger quickly opined that for him Sanchez was. The Frenchman did question the exact definition of ‘world class’ before insisting that he had a number of players who belonged to that elite category.
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“I think so. I think I have plenty of players that are world class. You have to understand the definition of that but overall he is a striker who is mobile and works hard for the team. When the team plays well he can score goals.”
He is really upset because he knows he needs a goal — Wenger on Ozil
Wenger was delighted with Ozil’s assist for Sanchez’s second goal, however, he did express his concern over the poor goal-scoring form of Arsenal FC’s record signing.
“It was classy and the little frustration I have today is that he could not score a goal or the chance he had. He is really upset because he know he needs a goal as well but the ball he gave to Alexis was fantastic.”
Arsene Wenger also reflected on the title race which has been blown wide open in light of Manchester City’s back-to-back defeats and considering that Manchester United have usurped the position of the Citizens from the top of the table.
“Knowing that Tottenham has beaten Manchester City today it makes the whole league tight. Two weeks ago you had Manchester City playing West Ham at home so you would expect that they would make the difference.”