Top Six: The Premier League’s most irreplaceable players

Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal

Arsenal have under-performed for the vast majority of this season. There are not many players in Arsenal’s ranks that can hold their head up high and say they’ve performed to a good standard, but Sanchez is most certainly one of them.

The Chilean has largely been deployed as a central striker this year, a role that he is not familiar with, but one that he has taken to like a duck to water.

He has been in impeccable form this season and he seems to be Arsenal’s greatest attacking threat every game. This season he has contributed 17 goals in 26 games this season, whilst also adding nine assists.

On Saturday, we were provided with further evidence that Arsenal desperately need him to be successful. Arsene Wenger decided to rest him for their trip to Liverpool, and looked out of sorts as they slumped to a two-goal deficit at half-time.

But the Chilean was called upon in the second-half and his introduction coincided with a much improved performance by Arsenal. Although they would still go on to lose, this game serves as evidence that he is truly irreplaceable.

Unfortunately for Arsenal, he looks unlikely to extend his contract and thus it is looking likely that he will leave in the summer.

This will be a massive blow for the North London side, who will either have to unearth a hidden gem or splash the cash in order to replace him.