Wenger - Alexis will thrive in England

Arsene Wenger says Alexis Sanchez has all the qualities needed to thrive in the Premier League.

The Chilean international signed a long-term contract with the club earlier this month and will join up with his new team-mates soon.

Wenger is delighted to have the 25-year-old in his squad and says there were a number of reasons why he decided to target him this summer.

“The fact that he's efficient, the fact that he's good off the ball,” the manager told Arsenal Player. “He runs at people with the ball and he's a very versatile striker.

“He can play through the middle, he can play on both flanks and he has the qualities that I think are needed in England. He's brave, works hard and all these qualities together made me go for him.

“At the moment he might play on the flank because Walcott is injured. As well [he can play] through the middle in some games; we can play with Giroud, we can play without Giroud in a 4-4-2 or in a 4-3-3.

“That's why he is a major signing for us [and] that's why we spend a lot of money on him. He has the quality to be efficient everywhere he plays.”

Wenger also believes that Alexis’ natural hunger for the game will see him make a major contribution once the new season gets underway.

“We have seen at the World Cup the South American teams have shown a great passion, great desire and true love for the game,” he said. “That is a very important quality in the success of a player.

“Our society maybe doesn't give a natural toughness anymore as much as South American society does and it's always an asset in your life when you have to work hard to get where you are. It means at least you are capable of finding the resources to do it.”