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Sanchez reminds me of Suarez, says Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alexis Sanchez tormented Sunderland on Saturday © Getty Images

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain said in-form team-mate Alexis Sanchez reminded him of Luis Suarez after his two goals earned Arsenal a 2-0 Premier League win at Sunderland.

Chile international Sanchez, who took his tally for the north Londoners to eight goals since his £30 million move from Barcelona, has sparkled even as they have struggled to produce their best football in recent weeks.

Sanchez pounced on two defensive errors as Sunderland suffered again following their 8-0 humiliation at Southampton earlier this month, a performance that left Oxlade-Chamberlain purring.

"He's a world-class player," he said. "Everyone saw that at the World Cup.

"He reminds me of Luis Suarez when he chases everything down and he makes nothing into something. He's done that for us twice, and he's scored goals at important times for us."

Sanchez took advantage of a poor backpass by Wes Brown to open the scoring at the Stadium of Light before capitalising on another mistake, this time from keeper Vito Mannone, late on.

And his performance also drew praise from Mathieu Flamini, who said: "Sanchez is a breath of fresh air to play with.

"He gives so much for the team, and not just in an attacking sense. I didn't realise he works so hard off the ball, not just creating space for others but also helping out defensively."

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger says he is looking forward to pairing Sanchez with fit-again England international Theo Walcott. The two could link up when Arsenal host struggling Burnley, still without a Premier League win, on Saturday.

"My imagination works like yours," Wenger said. "Theo's runs off the ball are fantastic, and he gives you hope that we will score.

"I'm very happy to have him back. The pace we have in the side when he comes back will be very interesting.

"Walcott is quick, Chamberlain is quick. It could be frightening - but imagination does not always become reality."

Wenger added he is frustrated that Arsenal are not higher up the table, saying: "We are six points off where we should have been.

"Let's say four, because we lost only one game since the start of the season - but we have only won three, so I think we've dropped too many points.

But Mathieu Flamini said that, despite indifferent recent performances, he believed Arsenal's season remained on track.

"It has been tough for us," he explained. "But if you look where we are, in the top six and hopefully on course for the next stage of the Champions League, it has not been a bad start this season."

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