The Chilean goal machine scored twice and created a third as Arsenal destroyed Stoke City 3-0.
Alexis Sanchez did it again!
The £35million price tag that Barcelona placed on him has been justified by how he has directly contributed to 51.4% of Arsenal’s goals so far this season (12 goals, 7 assists). The Arsenal forward has been involved in 19 Premier League goals this season – more than any other player in the league.
Two questions come to mind when one thinks of this staggering stats: Can he beat Diego Costa to the golden boot this season? And what makes this player so outstanding?
The humble beginnings of Alexis Sanchez
Alexis’s rise to stardom has not come easy. He was born in a poverty stricken rural Chilean street called Tocopilla.
His father left him at an early age, and he grew up with his mother, who was a cleaner at the school he studied in.She did other odd-jobs including washing fish for her neighbours and selling flowers to try to support Alexis and his three siblings.
A magnificent talent from an early age, he also took up a number of part-time jobs to support his family.
Sanchez’s brother Humberto has revealed in several interview how poor they were growing up.
Humberto said: ‘Alexis had nothing when growing up. He had to fight for everything he has.
We were the poorest of the poor so Alexis had to earn money any way he could from a very young age.
‘The neighbours would give him a few coins for entertaining them. Sometimes he was so hungry he would knock on neighbours’ doors and ask for bread. They would always give him what they had to spare. Once in a while, Alexis would box in the street for entertainment.’
It was when he was earning a living cleaning cars that he realised that football could offer him a pathway out of poverty.
“I used to wash cars for such little money just so I had enough money to buy football boots. My family was so poor that football for me was about survival,” the skilful midfielder recalled.
The Rise & Rise of Alexis Sanchez
The boy from Tocopilla, which actually means “Devil’s Corner” took his destiny in his own hands and joined the Club Arauco youth team.
Unfortunately, he could not pay the coaching fees. However, a turning point came in his life soon, as he came late for a match in which his team was trailing by a goal, and scored eight goals.
Soon enough, Corbeloa came calling, before he was signed by River Plate. Europe beckoned in a short time, as the Arsenal man moved to Udinese, and then to Barcelona.
His struggle to escape the harsh streets of Tocopilla exercised his fighting spirit. His humble beginnings have fed his appetite to win – he never gives up.
In the words of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,” He (Sanchez) is like a Duracell battery — he just does not give in.”
Of course, he has been blessed with raw talent but what makes him a special player and such a threat to opponents is more related to his boundless energy and hunger to win.
He showed that against Stoke on Sunday, with yet another man of the match performance. He was on fire! On current form the former Barcelona man is arguably the best player in the world. (After Lionel Messi and Ballon d’or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo of course.)
A legend in the making
From his days playing barefoot street football in Tocopilla to lighting up the Emirates stadium in London, the talented 25 year-old has come a long way.
“I told my mother from a young age, “Don’t worry”, I will become a football player and get us out of this situation. If I had failed I would be working 15-hour days on construction sites and still not be earning enough to live. Football saved me.” revealed the Chilean maestro.
Many people choose practicality over passion and purpose. This is the reason why many up and coming footballers who come from poverty throw their hands up in the air and just walk away from their dreams – but here is a player who had a tenacious determination to succeed. He kept going and today he is getting his reward.