Arsene Wenger: Alexis Sanchez has qualities Arsenal lack

Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez has qualities that the Frenchman’s Arsenal side previously lacked.

The Gunners completed a £35m swoop for the Chile international earlier this month after beating off competition from Liverpool for the Barcelona forward.

He gives us options, he has qualities that we lack

Arsene Wenger

Sanchez’s move from La Liga to the north London side has prompted talked of Arsenal being genuine Premier League title contenders this coming season.

Wenger’s men led the Premier League for more days than eventual champions Manchester City and runners-up Liverpool last season but their form dipped in the title run-in.

And the 64-year-old Arsenal manager feels his big-money summer signing adds something different to the Gunners squad.

Wenger on Alexis: "He can play through the middle, or on both flanks. He gives us options, he has qualities that we lack." #ArsenalNYC

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 24, 2014

Wenger, who agreed a new three-year Gunners deal earlier this summer, underlined Gedion Zelalem’s potential amid growing excitement about the German midfielder’s potential.

“I honestly think Gedion has the talent to become a great player, but that will be decided in the next two or three years because he has to show that he has the mental level required to be a top-level competitor,” said Wenger.

“He is a creative player and he can create a spark, an opening with his passing, his vision through the lines. If he manages to develop his physique and keep his qualities, he can be a very important player. Let’s hope he will do it.”