Wenger likens Arsenal ace Sanchez to Suarez

He might have taken some convincing, but Arsene Wenger has likened Alexis Sanchez to Luis Suarez after the Chilean has impressed up front this term.

Sanchez has been deployed further forward by Wenger this season, and while the Frenchman wasn’t sure at first his decision has been justified.

The 27-year-old has scored five goals in his last six games ahead of the clash with Burnley, leading the line with aplomb ahead of new signing Lucas Perez and in the absence of injured duo Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck.

And after pursuing Suarez before he went to Barcelona, Wenger believes Sanchez has the same attributes as the Uruguayan.

“First of all I had big competition up front,” Wenger said. “I thought Welbeck could play there, Giroud was playing there with different qualities and I reflected for a long time at the end of the season.

“I decided to try Sanchez [up front]. He has similarities with Luis Suarez.

“At the start many people questioned that decision.

“I must say the few times I tried him before, he was not convincing in this position. You start to think is that a wrong decision or do I have to give him more time?

“In the first two games I was not completely convinced but now, game after game, he’s growing into this position and getting better and better.

“Where he’s strong is that he can dribble, finish and he can also give a final ball.”