Man United legend replies when asked if Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is better than Eden Hazard

Rio Ferdinand believes that Alexis Sanchez has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League at Arsenal – but is not quite at the same level as Eden Hazard.

The Chile international has been one of the top flight’s standout performers this season and continued his fine form on Saturday night when he scored a superb second-half hat-trick to fire Arsenal to a 5-1 win at West Ham United.

Sanchez has earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s top attacking talents since his arrival at the club from Barcelona in the summer of 2014.

He has already scored 11 goals and made four assists in the top flight so far this term to help Arsenal up to second place in the Premier League table.

However, although former Manchester United defender Ferdinand is a big fan of Sanchez, he seemed to suggest that he rates Hazard more highly when both players are on top form.

Speaking to BT Sport on Saturday night, Ferdinand said: “He’s definitely one of [the best in the league].

“I think Hazard takes some beating when they’re all on song.

“But this guy [Sanchez], he’s carrying this team. He’s the guy who is the inspiration and in the defining moments, he’s taking the opportunities.

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“He puts teams on the back-foot, he enables them to get that little bit more time and space because he’s running into the channels and running into the spaces.”