Alexis Sanchez Proves He Deserves Centre Stage in Arsenal's Attack

As Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 3-0 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches, Gunners fans must have felt as though they were watching a new team finally click.

Many of the faces are familiar, but this particular composition appears to be jelling beautifully. Chelsea simply couldn’t resist Arsenal’s attacking force. It’s no great surprise Alexis Sanchez played a crucial role in dismantling the opposition. However, it is perhaps a shock to see him doing so from an unfamiliar role as a striker.

Manager Arsene Wenger appears to have unlocked an exciting new attacking setup that could make Arsenal the league’s greatest entertainers once again.

They were electrifying against Chelsea. Antonio Conte is a manager schooled in Serie A whose philosophy is geared around avoiding exactly this kind of heavy defeat. However, his team simply could not cope with the verve and vitality of the Gunners' game. Arsenal were majestic, particularly in the first half.

Afterward, a clearly thrilled Wenger told the media:

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I feel, especially in the first half, we wanted to play with high pace, put them under pressure, play at a very high collective connection and speed of passing - it worked quite well. It’s one of those moments in your life as a manager where you think ‘today is a great day’. In the first half, I think it was nearly perfect. In the second half it was a bit in-and-out but in the first half, we have shown great quality. We played with style, with pace, with movement - and that’s the kind of football we want to play.

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Arsenal haven’t played this well for some time—almost precisely a year, in fact. On Oct. 4, 2015, they swatted Manchester United aside in an eerily similar fashion. In both games, the Gunners blitzed their opponents with three first-half goals before a controlled second-half performance enabled them to comfortably see the game out. 

The goals came about through similar means too—pressing high up the field to force the opposition into errors and capitalising quickly on the transitions in play. It’s telling that despite their reputation as a possession-based side, Arsenal’s best performances in recent seasons have tended to come when they play fast reactive football.

The similarity in the two matches was not lost on Theo Walcott, who told the media: "When we played Man United at home last year, it was fantastic, but I think it’s been quietly coming actually, to be honest with you. We’ve been quietly doing our business, and like I said, everyone is just working for each other now."

There is warning to sound here. Although Arsenal were impressive against United last season, they struggled to maintain that form over the course of the campaign. The challenge for Wenger this time around is to keep this momentum going and try to replicate this kind of display more regularly. 

If they are to do that, they surely need to keep Alexis at centre-forward. After a slow start in the position, he is finding his feet in considerable style. He has made five Premier League starts as a striker, scoring four goals. His Champions League record is one for one. For several years, Arsenal have been searching for a quick and prolific frontman. It’s beginning to look like he may have been in their squad all along.

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Alexis’ goal showed the value of playing him up top. He never gives defenders a moment on the ball, and the best place for him to rob them of possession is close to the goal. When he stole the ball from Gary Cahill, all he had left to do was advance on the goalkeeper and knock it beyond him. Nevertheless, the impudent chipped finish made it look considerably easier than it was.

He also showed his importance on Arsenal's third goal, tearing away up the field as part of a lightning-fast counter-attack. He played an excellent one-two with Mesut Ozil, the German volleying home via a fortunate bounce. 

It finally feels as though Arsenal are moving on from Olivier Giroud as their starting striker. For all his qualities, the Frenchman’s lack of pace was somewhat inhibiting to the Gunners’ game. Without him in the starting XI, Arsenal invariably look like a better side.

It’s not just down to Alexis. The players around him are integral to this new approach. With the Chilean often drawn to dropping deep and wide, it’s vital there are players who are prepared to run in behind and occasionally take up central spots. Walcott is excellent at that job, and the Englishman is enjoying a surprising renaissance.  

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That hasn’t escaped Wenger’s attention, with the manager telling Arsenal Player (via the club's official website): "He’s committed, he does his job offensively and defensively, and he’s still dangerous. I like what he’s doing at the moment. He’s an intelligent player with a strong character. I told you before the season started that you would see a different Walcott this year."

Wenger seems to believe part of the reason for Walcott’s improve is psychological. However, there are also tactical reasons why he’s flourishing. Alexis’ tendency to vacate the No. 9 spot creates gaps for the Englishman to dart into, as he did so effectively to tap home Arsenal’s second goal.

When Arsenal smashed United last year, Walcott played at centre-forward. He could not maintain his form in that position, but perhaps he'll have greater longevity in this role on the flank.

Behind Alexis and Walcott, Ozil and Alex Iwobi are acting as Arsenal’s chief creators. The emergence of the Nigerian appears to have helped Ozil considerably—his presence in the side means Arsenal’s threat is diversified. There are now two players in the attacking third of the pitch capable of unlocking a defence with outrageous skill or unparalleled vision.

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Ozil reaped the benefits of that against Chelsea, producing one of his finest performances in an Arsenal shirt. The way he effortlessly spun away from the likes of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic will live long in the memory.  

Arsenal’s front four has a potent chemistry, with Alexis at the heart of it. The new system has given the Gunners speed, unpredictability and, most importantly, belief. If they can continue to play like this, Wenger’s 20th anniversary could be remembered as a special season for more than one reason.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout 2016/17. Follow him on Twitter here.