One of the unwavering narratives during Arsenal's recent woes was the fact that Alexis Sanchez's insatiable will to win was not matched by his faltering teammates.
A number of on-field strops led to the usual rumours that the Chilean star was unhappy at the Emirates, but it turned out he just wasn't happy that he and Arsenal weren't winning.
Such troubles seem distant, now, following the Gunners' 5-0 FA Cup win at Southampton. While Danny Welbeck's comeback brace and Theo Walcott's hat-trick will grab tomorrow's headlines, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was hugely influential in Arsenal's impressive display. It was prior to the fixture, however, when the 23-year-old produced a chuckle from fans, when he regaled them with a tale regarding Sanchez from Christmas - or as it's known in football, The Congested Christmas Period.
'The Ox's six-goal haul this campaign is his finest to date in Arsenal colours, but speaking in Arsenal's club members newsletter, the England international recounted an occasion where Sanchez was less than impressed by his finishing ability:
He's definitely one of those players who will tend to bring out the best in you because he's very demanding of himself and everyone else.
The number of times we've come off the pitch and we've won, and he's still not happy with something...
The Crystal Palace game for example, we won 2-0 and right at the end of the game he's cut inside and passed it to me. I shot and Wayne Hennessy saved it in the last minute of the game. The boys were all happy in the dressing room but Alexis came to me in the shower and said, 'My friend, are you going to score? Oh no my friend... I passed you the ball, you have a cup of tea, you wait... And then you shoot!'
I was just laughing like, 'Yeah, sorry my friend'.
He always wants assists, he wants goals, and that's what makes him the player he is.
Even if Sanchez's comments were made in jest, it's an intriguing insight into his winning mentality, and further explains some of his tantrums when things have gone south for Arsenal this season.
There remains a sense that Arsene Wenger's men require players with a similarly ruthless mindset before challenging for Premier Leagues, but Gooners will be pleased to hear Sanchez is demanding of his younger teammates even after victories.
[r/soccer]
