Alexis Sanchez hails 'spectacular' Santi Cazorla, but admits he has been 'surprised' by the quality of Arsenal's squad

Chilean says he did not know much about the team before his £35m move

Tuesday 21 April 2015 15:28 BST

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring a second for Arsenal against Reading (Getty Images)

Alexis Sanchez has praised "spectacular" team-mate Santi Cazorla, but has admitted that overall he has been "surprised" by the quality in Arsenal's squad.

The Chile international has excelled for the Gunners in his first season in England after joining from Barcelona for £35m last summer, scoring 22 goals.

Sanchez scored both goals against Reading on Saturday in 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win as the Gunners look to retain their FA Cup title.

“When I arrived at the club I didn't know the players that well, but I was really surprised by everyone's quality,” he told arsenal.com.

“I am not saying this just because it's my obligation to do it as a club player. Every Arsenal footballer has amazing quality. Being part of a team like this makes me very proud. I am willing to win many titles here.

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

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1/11Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

David Ospina - 7.40/10

Liverpool owner John W Henry once asked 'What are they smoking at Emirates?'. When it came to having a puff the focus landed on Wojciech Szczesny who was dropped from the team having been caught having a crafty cigarette in the changing rooms after Arsenal's game with Southampton. It was enough for Wenger to give Ospina his chance and the Colombian has easily been more impressive than Szczesny (6.46) was.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Nacho Monreal - 7.35

There is real competition at left-back with England international Kieran Gibbs (7.04) an option, but it's Monreal who scores higher.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Gabriel Paulista - 7.46

Only signed in January, the Brazilian defender ranks as the best centre-back at the Emirates based on his performances so far.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Laurent Koscielny - 7.37

Paulista is joined by Laurent Koscielny, meaning Per Mertesacker (7.07) is the one to miss out. Calum Chambers, who made such an impressive start to the season, is on 7.05.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Mathieu Debuchy - 7.25

The Frenchman has been out since January but in the 14 appearances before then he made more of an impression than youngster Hector Bellerin (7.21) - if only just. Debuchy is nearing his return from injury just in time for the season run-in.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Mesut Ozil - 7.56

Has been much derided following his £42.5m switch from Real Madrid, but Ozil has begun to show why Arsenal were willing to pay so much money. The World Cup winner recently spoke about aspiring to be crowned the best player on the planet. He'll have to start by being the best player at Arsenal but as it stands he's the third best based on these ratings.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Francis Coquelin - 7.53

In his 12 starts since returning from a loan spell at Charlton, Coquelin has seemingly solved the desperate need for a defensive midfielder. Alternate options Mathieu Flamini (6.78) and Mikel Arteta (6.73) don't get close.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Santi Cazorla - 7.65

Unsurprisingly based on his brilliant season, Cazorla completes the midfield in this 4-3-3 line up, with the Spaniard considered the second best player of Arsenal's season so far. That means there is no place for the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.20) had he been fit, Tomas Rosicky (6.73) or Jack Wilshere (6.69). But perhaps the most unexpected player to miss out if based on pre-season prediction is Aaron Ramsey, who's inconsistent performances see him score 7.02 and miss out on a place.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Danny Welbeck - 7.30

He might have scored just four Premier League goals since joining from Manchester United, but Welbeck's overall contribution sees him score enough to keep Theo Walcott (6.42) out of the attacking trio.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Olivier Giroud - 7.46

Never any doubt the French striker would be the best central striker thanks to his 13 Premier League goals and three assists.

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Arsenal's best XI of the season so far

Alexis Sanchez - 7.84

And completing the XI is of course Alexis Sanchez. The summer signing from Barcelona has been brilliant, scoring 13 goals and collecting seven assists. It makes him Arsenal's best player of the season so far.

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“Santi Cazorla is a spectacular player. You never know whether he will kick the ball with his right or left foot. Also, he moves with short but quick strides, which is a remarkable trademark too.

“Although I knew about his quality, playing alongside him makes me very happy."

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