Sanchez
His virtuoso performance in Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing of West Ham still was not enough to convince Alan Shearer that the Chilean is a world-class player.
The former England striker stands by his insistence that Sergio Aguero is the only truly elite player in the top flight despite the Arsenal star’s magical display against West Ham.
The Chilean bagged a hat-trick in a win which moved the Gunners up to second in the Premier League and, despite admitting that he was “unplayable”, Shearer feels that Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to play his star man as a centre forward in the past means that he cannot be considered among the world’s best.
“What I would say is, Arsenal are a much better team this year because of him,” the former England striker said on the BBC’s ‘Match of the Day’.
“And I would also ask Arsene Wenger, if he is world class, why has he taken two years to play him centre forward?”
Shearer has previously said that Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero is “the one genuine world-class player we have in our Premier League” but did concede that, if he helps Arsenal to win the title this season, Sanchez would be up there with him.
However, Chris Sutton – Shearer’s former Blackburn Rovers strike partner who was also in the studio – disagreed with him, while Arsenal legend Paul Merson had previously criticised his assertions about Aguero.