With eight goals and two assists to his name in the Premier League, Alexis Sanchez has emerged as Arsenal's savior in a season in which all else is falling apart for the Gooners. Mesut Özil's personal problems and injury problems have caused Arsene Wenger quite a headache. Wenger must be delighted that the signing of Sanchez has turned out to be a masterstroke. Away from London and into Manchester, Angel Di Maria has settled relatively well in the Premier League with three goals and five assists to his name in the Premier League.
However, one has returned a car given to him by the club while the other is hailed as a hero. I will leave the reader to guess who returned his car. Di Maria has not been as influential as one hoped he would. On the other hand, Sanchez's name is sung by Arsenal fans desperately seeking a hero week in week out.
Sanchez seems to be more effective at his art than the former Real Madrid star, taking on average 2.9 shots per game. Di Maria takes 3.4 shots per game for United. Thus. Sanchez scores plenty more with less shots. Di Maria though, as shown by his total assists, is more effective as the assist man, playing 3.1 key passes per game whereas Sanchez plays 2.4 key passes per game.
Sanchez attempts to dribble more than Di Maria, averaging 3.1 dribbles per game. Di Maria dribbles 2.2 times on average per match. Despite this, Di Maria is safer to pass to as he is dispossessed only 1.4 times on average per game whereas Sanchez is dispossessed 2.2 times per game. Both players are fouled at least once in each game. Overall, the stats show a final balance between the two. Sanchez, however, is shown to be a better leader of the attack whereas Di Maria seems better off as the secret gem, much like Özil's role at Arsenal prior to his injury.
So far, Sanchez has shown he is the better scorer though. Who will win the battle tomorrow? Let us know your thoughts!
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