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'Alexis is loved because he's a fighter'

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal fans love Alexis Sanchez because of his fighting spirit.

The Chile forward has impressed in his debut season in English football, scoring 24 times in 51 games, including two goals to secure the Gunners’ place in the FA Cup final.

Alexis was named PFA Fans’ Player of the Season on Tuesday, and Wenger believes he will be a key figure against Aston Villa on Saturday.

"He is a guy who has a good combination of talent, combative aspect and fighting spirit. That is why he is liked by everybody here"

Arsene Wenger

“He is not missing a lot [of qualities]!” the manager said. “He has just been voted player of the year by the fans because he is very positive, who always wants to go forward, wants to hurt the opponent and he is also - what the fans like with him - a fighter.

“He is a guy who has a good combination of talent, combative aspect and fighting spirit. That is why he is liked by everybody here.

"Sometimes he is too demanding with himself, too quickly upset when it doesn’t go well for him and he has to learn to be a bit more patient and not to be too quickly upset.”

Alexis has been named in Jorge Sampaoli’s provisional Chile squad for this summer’s Copa America, and Wenger admits having no break could be tough for the 26-year-old.

“I usually give every player four weeks holiday at the outcome of every season,” he said. “The only difference is that they finish on the third or fourth of July, which makes it difficult for us.

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“I don’t know how I will adapt to it, but I will. You cannot play the World Cup, play the whole season without a winter break and then start straight away again. I would just like to wish him good luck and that he comes back without any injury.”

 

 

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