Complete Analysis of Alexis Sanchez's First 6 Months at Arsenal

During the latest Alexis Sanchez masterclass against Stoke City, it seemed appropriate that Thierry Henry was stationed in his box to watch.

As Alexis scored his second goal of the day, Henry stood briefly to indicate his approval. It's early days, but it was impossible to escape the feeling that Henry may have been effectively anointing his successor.

This weekend, Alexis travels with Arsenal to face fellow Chilean Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.

Speaking to Spanish publication AS (h/t Goal) ahead of the game, Pellegrini was fulsome in his praise of the unrelenting forward: "Every game I see him making a great effort, showing great commitment, ambition and the maturity needed to keep improving year after year. I'm happy for him because, at this time, he is the best player in English football.

That's a significant proclamation from Pellegrini. He has another South American under his stewardship, in the shape of Sergio Aguero, who certainly rivals Alexis as the Premier League's foremost player.

However, perhaps Pellegrini recognises that Alexis' achievements are made all the more impressive by the surrounding context. Aguero is thriving as the focal point of a Manchester City side challenging for major honours. Alexis, meanwhile, is managing to flourish in an Arsenal team riddled with dysfunction.  

Julian Finney/Getty Images

That's because he's a maverick magician. Alexis doesn't need support to make an impact: He's a one-man attacking Swiss Army knife. Even on days when the Gunners' passing game does not click into gear, Alexis is always capable of providing a game-changing turbo boost. 

However, he's not just a free spirit. Alexis is also a terrific team player. It's impossible to think of another individual with his creative gifts who is prepared to work so hard for his colleagues. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain recently reflected on Alexis' bottomless battery—he just never stops. He's undoubtedly their best attacker, but he's one of the more effective defenders, too. 

Alexis has taken to the Premier League like a duck to the proverbial water. Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Arsene Wenger has suggested his own theory as to why his summer signing has adapted quite so quickly: "He is one of the fastest to adapt to the Premier League. I believe it's because he feels accepted by the other players that he feels he is an important player."

Those last seven words feel particularly relevant—"he feels he is an important player." Alexis seems to relish responsibility. At Barcelona, he was always destined to play second fiddle to the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar. At Arsenal, he's lead soloist.

His team-mates have embraced Alexis immediately, and his attitude and application serve as an example to younger members of the squad. Beyond his own individual impact, it's been fascinating to watch the way the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck have sought to emulate Alexis' all-action style. 

Michael Steele/Getty Images

What a style it is. Not since Thierry Henry have Arsenal had such an electrifying attacking talent at their disposal.

In analysing Alexis' threat, Wenger said: "His two assets are the quality of his runs and his reception of the ball. He gets into areas where you can find him. When he gets the ball short he can run at people. But he can also play further forward because of the timing of his runs."

Wenger hints there at the versatility of Alexis. Wherever he plays, he seems able to pose a threat. The following graphic from WhoScored illustrates Sanchez's starting position in Premier League and Champions League games this season:

Whoscored.com

To an extent, it does not matter where he is deployed: Alexis is wont to roam. However, the goals per game ratio suggests there are two positions in which he has performed best: at No. 10 and on the left. 

Alexis' stated preference is to play from the left wing, from where he can dribble infield as he did to such devastating effect in Arsenal's last game against Stoke.

Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal quotes Sanchez in the International Business Times as saying: "I love playing in any of the three attacking positions but I feel a little more comfortable out on the left because it allows me to take on the opposing full-back and cut inside and shoot with my right foot."

At Udinese and Barcelona, most of Alexis' starts came on the right-hand side. However, he has been redeployed at the Emirates to great effect. As much as Alexis deserves credit for his performances, Wenger's capacity to bring the best out of a player also warrants recognition. As he did with Henry, Wenger has found the roles that allow Alexis to shine. 

Wherever Alexis has played, his output has been consistently excellent. His numbers are outstanding: In six months, he has already racked up 18 goals and nine assists. 

Pellegrini believes that goalscoring contribution is what has seen Alexis move up a level to become truly word class. He says: "I always thought [he was going to be world-class]. The only thing you could criticise him for before was that he didn't score enough goals. He wasn't a scorer but he has improved this a lot in the last two campaigns."

Pellegrini is right—the genesis of this prolific streak came in last season's La Liga, when Alexis scored 19 La Liga goals in just 34 appearances. However, to immediately transfer that form to a new team and country is a superb achievement.

What's most remarkable is that Alexis could still get better. There are still moments when it's clear he has not fully adapted to his new team-mates. That's illustrated by the fact that Squawka lists his passing success rate as a surprisingly low 77 percent. 

Not that anyone is complaining at present. The fans are simply relishing watching one of world football's most in-form players.

Arsenal's task now is to ensure they are competitive enough to keep the ravenous appetite of Alexis satisfied. Pellegrini has made his admiration clear—the thought of him prising Alexis away is too much to bear.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.