Alexis Sanchez Says Arsenal Lack Hunger and Self-Belief in Title Race

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has admitted he is concerned the Gunners do not have the requisite mental fortitude to become Premier League champions.

Arsene Wenger’s side suffered a significant blow on Wednesday against Swansea City, losing 2-1 to the Welsh outfit after going ahead. And the Chilean has conceded there may be something missing from this group of players that will prevent them from realising their potential, per Directv Sports (h/t Marca):

"

I think we can win the Premier League with the players we have. That said, we lack a certain hunger. We need to step out onto the pitch as if we're already 1-0 up.

We lack self-belief, that we can actually be champions. I remember a game against Manchester United last season. The lads looked hungry for silverware as we took to the pitch. We crushed them in the first 20 minutes and went 2-0 up. We were hungry and brimming with confidence that day.

"

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

There’s a festering feeling that Arsenal don’t quite have what it takes to capitalise in the most open Premier League season in a long time.

While the efforts of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been unexpected, Arsenal looked well placed to mount a successful title challenge this term, with Mesut Ozil playing superbly and Petr Cech settling the team down with his showings in goal. But in recent weeks, the team have toiled under the pressure of a genuine chase.

However, as we can see here courtesy of BreatheSport, it currently looks as though the Gunners are just reverting to the norm:

"

Arsenal's last 10 Premier League finishes:

3rd
4th
4th
3rd
4th
3rd
4th
3rd
4th
4th

Currently: 3rd pic.twitter.com/Wzb7RDUOxq

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) March 3, 2016"

Sanchez himself, after a sensational debut season, has struggled in recent weeks; in games when Arsenal have badly needed a decisive contribution, he’s not quite been up to the standards required.

It was the same again on Wednesday, as the Chilean faltered against a tight-knit Swansea defence. Granted, he set up Joel Campbell’s opening goal, but with the ball at his feet the incision and unpredictability that was so prevalent last season has been scarce.

As STATS football note here, his contribution on Wednesday was long overdue for a player of Sanchez’s undoubted quality:

"

Alexis Sanchez assist was his first goal contribution (score or assist) in 6 #BPL matches.

— STATS Football (@STATS_Football) March 2, 2016"

While Wenger has come in for a lot of flak in the wake of the Swansea defeat, the players also need to shoulder some of the responsibility.

When they cross the white line, there is an emphasis to show the “hunger” and “self-belief” which Sanchez alludes to, especially when you consider the likes of the Chilean, Ozil and Cech have all won major titles previously.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

There are plenty of fixtures to come in which these players will need to puff their chest out too, as gunnerblog suggests:

If the hunger isn’t there to win the title, it should be. This is a club that have not won the Premier League for 12 seasons, despite having a revered manager and some of the best players the league has seen. It’s absolutely no surprise supporters are frustrated, and it’s up to the squad to turn this predicament around. 

Sanchez, when at full throttle, is a player capable of expediting this process. The former Barcelona man can set the tempo for the whole team with his ferocious pressing and effervescent attacking; should he rediscover his spark in the weeks to come, then we’ll surely see a completely different Arsenal and a team enriched with the conviction the fans are craving.