Lacking fight: Sanchez challenges Arsenal to show title desire

Questions his teammates’ hunger for success

LONDON/WATFORD: Alexis Sanchez has questioned whether his Arsenal teammates have the hunger to salvage their spluttering Premier League title bid.

Arsene Wenger’s side face a crucial North London derby at fellow title challengers Tottenham on Saturday on the back of successive league defeats and are facing growing scrutiny about the team’s perceived lack of character.

The Gunners are without a win in four games in all competitions, a run that includes an FA Cup draw with Hull City and a home defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League.



Having been regarded as favourites by many to end their 12-year wait to regain the Premier League title, Wenger’s side risk seeing the campaign turn into one of under-achievement.

A third victory in four visits to White Hart Lane would restore belief they can close the six-point gap on current leaders Leicester and move the Gunners level on points with Tottenham in second place.

But after the dismal midweek home defeat against Swansea that came on the heels of a loss to Manchester United, Sanchez has questioned the squad’s desire to succeed.



Leicester hoping to get back to winning ways

Following a week of contrasting emotions, surprise leaders Leicester City head to Watford back in the driving seat in an extraordinary Premier League title race.



The disappointment of a 2-2 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday was followed by the bonus of seeing title rivals Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City all lose 24 hours later.

The upshot was that the Foxes, despite failing to take a host of chances to beat West Brom, will travel to Vicarage Road with their lead at the top of the table to three points.

“That’s football,” said Leicester winger Marc Albrighton, whose side edged Norwich City 1-0 last weekend with a late winner. “I think in the last two games at home, we have had a massive amount of chances to win both games.”



Albrighton’s teammate Danny Drinkwater, who netted against Albion, added: “Tuesday was a point in the right direction.” With eight wins and just two defeats on the road, Leicester will take the best away record in the Premier League to Watford.

The Hornets, meanwhile, have won five and lost five of their 14 home games so Leicester will feel confident of boosting their hopes of a fairytale title triumph. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.