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Arsenal transfer news: Thierry Henry urges Gunners not to sign a superstar because they already have 'special player' Alexis Sanchez

Henry believes Sanchez is capable of firing Arsenal to the Premier League title this season

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 24 June 2015 11:03 BST
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Alexis Sanchez is a 'special player', says Thierry Henry
Alexis Sanchez is a 'special player', says Thierry Henry (Getty Images)

Thierry Henry has urged Arsenal not to make a blockbuster signing this summer, because they already have a superstar in Alexis Sanchez.

The Arsenal great has tipped Sanchez to build on his impressive debut season with the Gunners and inspire them to a first Premier League title since 2004, providing he stays fit. Last season, Sanchez joined the club from Barcelona in a £35m transfer, and went on to become the key figure in a side that at times relied on the Chile international to find a breakthrough.

His 25 goals in all competitions helped Arsenal to retain the FA Cup as well as finish third in the Premier League and secure a place in the group stages of the Champions League, but Henry believes that 26-year-old Sanchez can improve further and inspire his old side to the very top.

Speaking in an interview with Goal.com at the Arsenal kit launch, Henry said: “We obviously have to add a few but we have a special player already in Alexis Sanchez.

“Alexis needs to settle a bit. He already had an amazing season but I expect him to be better next year. If he can stay injury free, he is that guy who can fire you to win the league.”

Sanchez at times appeared to tire with the demanding workload, and his impact towards the end of the season was not as prominent as it was during the run towards Christmas. But Henry was quick to praise another Arsenal midfielder for his performances after the turn of the year, and believed that the emergence of Francis Coquelin was behind Arsenal’s improvement as the season went on.

Henry speaks with Danny Welbeck at the Arsenal kit launch (Getty Images)

“Alexis has been tremendous and [Mesut] Özil has been very good since he arrived, but one of the keys for me this year was how [Francis] Coquelin balanced the midfield. And he didn’t cost Arsenal anything,” Henry added.

“As soon as Francis came in the team, Santi Cazorla played way better, Alexis Sanchez is the x-factor, Olivier Giroud is scoring goals.

“You don’t win titles only because you spend money. You need to have the right balance in the team and consistency. Money doesn’t always buy you titles.”

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