Wenger: Sanchez’s new role bringing out the best in Arsenal attacker

Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez’s new role in Arsenal’s 3-4-3 formation is bringing out the very best in the Chilean, although he’s keen to see more early focus from the attacker.

On Sunday, Sanchez netted his 24th goal of the season for the Gunners in their FA Cup semi-final defeat of Manchester City, scoring the winner in extra-time to seal his side’s place in the final.

Sanchez started the season playing up front for Wenger’s side, but has shifted wider in recent weeks – a position in which his manager has seen him flourish.

But while Wenger believes he has finally nailed Sanchez’s place on the pitch, he insists the 28-year-old must start to concentrate in the opening minutes.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“It’s strange because I feel that he always grows during the game,” he said. “The difficulty of the game always makes him more focused.

“He starts sometimes and has problems to get into the game and during the game he becomes stronger and stronger and more determined. He has the individual quality to make the difference.

“I think he adapts to the difficulty. He tests and he finds the way himself during the game to become dangerous.

“He has been remarkably efficient. I felt that he had a very good spell when he played up front. When he plays on the flank, he’s more a provider than a goalscorer.

“At the moment he plays in a mixed role between the flank and the middle. He can always turn up with something special in the game.”