At his best, he’s unplayable. On current form, you forget he’s playing.
What’s happened to Alexis Sanchez? And who’s this bumbling imposter currently playing for Arsenal? These are questions that have flummoxed the great and the good of the game, as the Chilean talisman suffers a desperate loss of form that simply won’t end.
Last season, Sanchez was on fire. He was being touted by some as the very best player in the Premier League, with his pace, power and directness ripping defences apart. For most of this term, and especially in recent weeks, he has been one of Arsenal weakest performers.
But what’s the reason for his poor current form? And how long until he’s back on top? We asked Arsenal fans and their replies were certainly food for thought…
Arsenal fans – what's happened to Sanchez? Is it simply a temporary drop of form? Is he unfit? Why is a world-class player not performing?
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) March 1, 2016
Many suggested fatigue was the key issue…
https://twitter.com/James_V_Howson/status/704643046202347520
https://twitter.com/CmonHarris/status/704643406493065217
@JOE_co_uk he's played almost every game for 2 year straight including summer tournaments, burnt out
— Mardelli (@adammardle87) March 1, 2016
@JOE_co_uk He's suffering from the Cesc Fabregas syndreome. Burns out after half a season. Barcelona don't often make such costly mistakes.
— Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke) March 1, 2016
Others blamed the rest of the team bringing him down…
@JOE_co_uk Besides Ozil, the entire team hasn't looked good all year.
— Josh (@Coco4pr3z) March 1, 2016
@JOE_co_uk because the players around him do not have the same hunger … And hes probably has enough.. I've had enough of watching it !!
— Jav/Javi/Javier 🇪🇦🇦🇴🇨🇻🇬🇧✊🏿✊🏾✊🏽✊🏼✊🏻✊ (@Blackspanishman) March 1, 2016
@JOE_co_uk set such standards last season. Been stop start for him this year. Injury and the teams overal performance has effected him alot
— Ryan Gordon (@ryz2013) March 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/billomachine/status/704672479202123776
A fair few pointed to injuries taking their toll…
@JOE_co_uk not enough rest and poor management of his game and fitness
— Hasan (@HAPhazard85) March 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/BBeaka/status/704782066454503424
Whilst a surprising number argued he simply isn’t world-class…
https://twitter.com/KhalifaMoe/status/704643184387825668
@JOE_co_uk @BeardedGenius never a world class player, world class players don't get pushed out of barca for £30m. Never a real game changer
— Pfizer Fresh (@Iadat) March 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/Madridistlogic/status/704645311101169665
@JOE_co_uk @BeardedGenius
If he was world class he'd still be at Barca.— stuart hainey (@stuart_hainey) March 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/SpanishZidane/status/704648114917867520
The pocket of Man United’s Guillermo Varela got a few mentions…
@JOE_co_uk he's got stuck in Valera's pocket. Bless him.
— Nick (@Nicarella13) March 1, 2016
@JOE_co_uk he's still in Varela's pocket. Hopefully his mum takes him out before washing his shorts
— Ash (@KawasakiBinger) March 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/pxjunky/status/704645300418433024
And there were a few other ‘interesting’ theories…
https://twitter.com/OJS611/status/704643087440732160
https://twitter.com/KinyeraGeorge/status/704643066628579330
https://twitter.com/diarmuidn7/status/704643699268042752
@JOE_co_uk @BeardedGenius he already win the league in January. What more so you want?
😛— Klugscheißah (@nerdyTerrorist) March 1, 2016
@JOE_co_uk I drafted him in my fantasy team, that's what fucking happened.
— Geralt of Mandi (@thegeralt717) March 1, 2016