Alexis Sanchez is 'a fighter' - that's why the Arsenal fans love him, says Arsene Wenger

Wenger also said that the Chilean star had to be a "bit more patient"

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Alexis Sanchez has been a revelation for Arsenal this season.

Bought for around £35million from Barcelona last summer, the Chilean star quickly settled into his new surroundings and went on to have a brilliant season for the Gunners.

Named in the PFA Team of the Year, Sanchez was also named the Fans' Player of the Season and Arsenal's Player of the Year after scoring 23 goals and adding 12 assists for the club ahead of the FA Cup final.

But it was not only his attacking prowess that won the admiration of fans around the country, he is also one of the hardest working players in the Premier League.

"He is not missing a lot [of qualities]," Wenger told the club website. "He has just been voted player of the year by the fans because he is very positive, who always wants to go forward, wants to hurt the opponent and he is also - what the fans like with him - a fighter.

"He is a guy who has a good combination of talent, combative aspect and fighting spirit. That is why he is liked by everybody here."

Wenger admitted that the 26-year-old, who will spend the summer at the Copa America, must learn to be a bit more patient next season, especially when given rough treatment by opponents.

"Sometimes he is too demanding with himself, too quickly upset when it doesn’t go well for him and he has to learn to be a bit more patient and not to be too quickly upset."