Mustafi: Arsenal’s Sanchez is too hot to handle

Alexis Sanchez raised a few eyebrows earlier this month when he declared himself on par with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

And while his claim was laughed away by pundits worldwide, Arsenal team-mate Shkodran Mustafi insists dealing with the Chilean’s skill and movement is very serious business.

Since joining Arsenal in July 2014 for £30million, Sanchez has gone on to shine in north London, helping himself to 25 goals in his debut season and banging in 17 last term.

Sanchez has two strikes to his name this season while he is also Chile’s second-highest goalscorer and has won two Copa America crowns.

But – despite what he might think – he still has to go a long way to match the accolades achieved by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, or Ronaldo, the Portuguese having led his country to the European Championship title this summer.

However new Arsenal defender Mustafi, who joined the Gunners from Valencia last month, knows that nullifying Sanchez is easier said than done.

“I think in football today, modern football, it is not as static as it was and that’s what makes the game so quick and so difficult,” Mustafi said.

“If you are a defender, you have to run all over the pitch to chase your striker and it is always difficult.

“I think we all know Alexis has qualities and he knows where to stand to give the opponent a difficult game.

“You have to give him credit for that.”