Alexis Sanchez has been one of the many highlights of the 2014 World Cup so far. A succession of scintillating performances has rekindled fan’s love and appreciation for a man who was once hailed as one of the best wide forwards in Europe.
However, the Chilean international is far from adored at the Camp Nou, and has been declared surplus to requirements this summer by Barcelona.
Although Arsenal are rumoured to be interested in the player, Liverpool have recently been declared as the first team to bite and attempt to snap up the Blaugrana’s unwanted star.
If Sanchez does decide to chomp on their offer, Arsenal would need to look elsewhere if they want to strengthen their flanks this summer.
Here are my top three alternatives this summer for you to sink your teeth into:
1 – Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma
Arguably the best fit when it comes to play style, Barcelona’s Pedro would be an excellent addition to our squad.
Blessed with lightning pace and advantageous agility, the Spaniard would help us to break through defences thanks to his intelligent movement and deadly runs. The 26-year-old is also a technical marvel. Accurate passing and intricate dribbling are prominent features of his game.
Pedro is at his best when he is involved in elegant passing triangles in the opposition’s box, and is more than capable of executing one touch passes in tight situations. He would elevate Arsenal’s Tiki-taka style to new levels – helping us stretch our opponent’s defence with his disciplined positioning and relentless passing.
But don’t be fooled into thinking he is all about style over substance. Pedro can score too. In the past five seasons, he’s scored 87 goals in 252 appearances for the Catalan club. When the opportunity arises, he likes to cut inside and curl the ball into the net – finesse and composure are the only tools he needs to humiliate goalkeepers.
With 42 caps for Spain – and an impressive 14 goals – Pedro would be an excellent acquisition this summer, and would cost £20-25 million. His ability to play on either flank is a nice bonus too. Use the page numbers below to navigate through the rest of the article.