Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes Alexis Sanchez is the only player in the Gunners’ team that would get into Tottenham’s starting eleven.
Sanchez currently sits third in the top-flight’s goalscoring charts with 19 Premier League goals and nine assists to his name.
Despite his fine return in front of goal this term, the Gunners still languish in sixth place in the standings – four points off fourth-placed Manchester City and 14 off their fierce north London rivals Tottenham.
In contrast to Arsenal’s battle to secure a top-four spot this season, Spurs look set to play in the Champions League next term and will also hope to take the bragging rights when they host Arsenal at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon.
And, ahead of the north London derby, Henry has given an assessment about his former side but believes only Sanchez is playing well enough to warrant a place in Spurs’ XI.
“It’s difficult for me as an Arsenal man at the minute but you have to be honest,” he told Sky Sports ahead of the Gunners’ game against Leicester on Wednesday night.
“I can only see right now Alexis Sanchez getting into that team without anyone saying ‘how come he’s in the team?’
“All the others, I think people will argue with that… but that doesn’t mean Tottenham are going to win easily.
“If I was going to the Lane the way it is at the minute and people were thinking ‘we cannot win any big games away from home’ and we can stop them winning the title, I would wake up that day thinking ‘this is my day today’.”
Henry’s views echo those of Harry Redknapp who wrote in his column for Standard Sport earlier this month that Sanchez is the only player who could justify being included in Mauricio Pochettino’s side based on his current form.
“Alexis Sanchez is the only Arsenal player who would get into Tottenham’s starting line-up,” he said.
“Spurs look like they are in a different league and that’s how far the balance of power has swung after more than 20 years of the Gunners dominating north London.
“The main reason is Arsenal have wasted millions on average players over the past few years. It was easy to see how good Sanchez was during his time at Barcelona and Arsene Wenger deserves credit for pulling that deal off but the rest of the players he has brought in over the past two or three years haven’t been good enough.”
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