Jamie Carragher: Alexis Sánchez could hamper Arsenal players’ roles

Jamie Carragher believes that the arrival of Alexis Sánchez at Arsenal could limit first-team opportunities for Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain next season.

The Gunners confirmed the £35m signing of the Chile international, who can play up front and out wide, from Barcelona last week.

I don’t think he’s an out-and-out centre-forward and that may have an impact on Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain

Jamie Carragher

And although former Liverpool defender Carragher feels Sánchez’s arrival will significantly strengthen the north London club, he says the added competition for places could affect the Gunners’ England players.

“I think it’s a great signing for Arsenal,” Carragher told Sky Sports News.

“I’m disappointed he hasn’t chosen Liverpool. I thought he may have become involved with the Luis Suarez deal, so it’s a blow for Liverpool to lose Suarez and miss out on him.

“He’s a great signing for Arsenal and he’s something that they need as well. I’m not sure where he’s going to play because I don’t think he’s an out-and-out centre forward.

“It may impact on Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, we’re talking about young English players, but his predominant position for Barcelona is in the wide areas.

“For Chile he played through the middle and he could do that, but I don’t think he’s an out-and-out centre-forward and that may have an impact on Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain getting in the Arsenal team.”