Pundit and former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp feels Arsenal's new talisman Alexis Sanchez can be just as influential as Luis Suarez was for the Reds.
Alexis, who joined Arsenal from Barcelona in the summer, has hit the ground running in England, notching up seven goals and two assists in eight starts in the Premier League so far. The 25-year-old has been in excellent form after the last international break in particular, scoring five goals in three league outings.
The Chile international has impressed teammates, fans and pundits; especially with his energy, attitude and work rate, by chasing down defenders and goalkeepers - to force them into committing errors - right from kickoff to the final whistle.
And Redknapp has now drawn parallels between Alexis and Suarez; the former Liverpool talisman and also the man who replaced the Chilean at Barcelona.
"Can you really compare Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez? The way the Chilean has started at Arsenal, it's hard not to. They are both such hungry, driven players but where Sanchez has an edge is his speed. He is lightning fast. He is typical of the South American influence in the Premier League at the moment," the Daily Mail quoted the Englishman as saying.
"Sanchez plays through the middle for his country and he could end up being a much more central threat like Suarez was at Liverpool. I love the way he takes his goals too - he's not just a flair man, he is brave and gets stuck in. Just look at the header he scored against [Burnley]. Not bad for someone who's only 5ft 7in!"
Redknapp also believes that with Alexis in top form and Theo Walcott finally returning from the treatment room, Olivier Giroud will find it difficult to get back into the Arsenal starting lineup, once he rejoins the squad.
The pundit fancies an Arsenal front three of Danny Welbeck, Alexis and Walcott for the sheer pace and goal threat they offer.
"With Theo Walcott back, Giroud might end up with Andy Carroll syndrome - how on earth does he get back in the team? A frontline of Welbeck, Walcott and Sanchez spells speed and goals," the former Liverpool star pointed out.
"But I'm sure Arsene Wenger would rather have him in his squad than not. Whoever they go for it's great news for Arsenal fans - they deserve to have great, exciting players like Sanchez to watch."
