Kieran Gibbs: What Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is like off the pitch
Kieran Gibbs discusses how Alexis Sanchez has been settling in at Arsenal this season
Kieran Gibbs has described Alexis Sanchez as a “big character” in the Arsenal dressing room.
The Chile forward has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers since his £35m transfer to the north London club from Barcelona last summer.
He has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Arsene Wenger’s men and has also notched up eight assists for his team-mates.
And Gibbs has revealed that the former Udinese man has been picking up the English language quickly as he continues to settle in at the club with relative ease.
“Alexis Sanchez has continued to impress people with his performances and it’s great to see him on such top form,” Gibbs wrote in a blog for Sportlobster.
“His determination to keep on top of his game is fantastic, and the way he is going he is inspiring all of us in the squad.
“He’s a big character amongst the group – he’s not quiet by any stretch of the imagination and he’s fitted in very well. He’s learning English really quickly and he’s improved that a lot in a short space of time.
“He’s one of those characters where he doesn’t really need to speak English to get his point of view across, because he’s got a lot of energy and you know what he’s saying by his expressions and his energy.”
Gibbs also believes that the Chilean’s work-rate on the pitch is rubbing off on his team-mates.
“That energy and passion is quite rare and he’s got loads of it,” the defender continued.
“He is rubbing off on a lot of the players, and his energy is giving us all a big boost. It’s no surprise to me to see him doing so well, and lets hope it continues for as long as possible.
Arsenal, who beat Manchester City 2-0 last weekend, travel to Brighton and Hove Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.
England international Gibbs was a late substitute for the Gunners at Etihad Stadium as Wenger’s men ended City’s 12-game unbeaten run.
