Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez failed to make our 2015/16 Team of the Season after registering 167 points in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
To say he roared back into Fantasy form would be something of an understatement.
A “kind” price tag of 11.0 seemed even more appetising when it transpired that the Chilean would be deployed as a lone striker. Ultimately, Sanchez emerged as an almost essential figure in our seasons, finishing top of the FPL standings with 264 points – a full 39 clear of his nearest challenger – Spurs’ Dele Alli.
Not surprisingly, the Arsenal midfielder walks into our Team of the Season for 2016/17, receiving 29% of the vote.
The Statistics
Despite having a shortened pre-season due to his participation in Chile’s successful defence of the Copa America, Sanchez started in the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool in Gameweek 1, playing all 90 minutes.
He sat in less than 300,000 FPL squads at the outset, until a 16-point haul in the 3-1 win over Watford in Gameweek 3 sparked major investment in the former Barcelona attacker.
Further double-figure hauls followed against Hull City and Chelsea as his ownership rose to 823,436 ahead of Gameweek 7.
Braces against Sunderland and Bournemouth maintained Sanchez’s momentum before he produced one of the defining individual performances of the season in the 5-1 win over West Ham United in Gameweek 14.
Sanchez registered three goals and an assist in a masterful performance at the London Stadium, racking up 23 points in FPL.
A host of non-owners were quick to acquire his services as he rose in price from 11.4 to 11.7 by the time Gameweek 15 came around.
Despite ticking along with goals and assists, Sanchez would fail to reach those heights over the next few months, managing just two double-digit hauls in his next 20 appearances as Wenger’s side suffered a severe loss of form.
It was only during the last few weeks of the season when Sanchez would really live up to his premium price tag, averaging 11.75 points over his last four matches.
The 28-year-old ended the season with 24 goals and 11 assists in FPL – the first time he had reached double figures in both categories in his three years at the Emirates.
He also registered 32 bonus points – ranking him third among FPL midfielders behind Chelsea’s Eden Hazard and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who both totalled 33.
A contributing factor was perhaps his tally of six yellow cards – more than he had received over the course of the previous two campaigns.
The Prospects
Should Sanchez remain at Arsenal next term, there’s little doubt he will be among the most coveted players in FPL.
But with a year to run on his contract and plenty of speculation regarding his future in north London, it remains to be seen whether Sanchez will commit his long-term future to the club.
Having peaked at a cost of 11.9 in FPL, it looks inevitable that Sanchez will earn a price hike next time out, with a valuation of either 11.5 or perhaps even 12.0 possible.
At the halfway point of the season, it looked a foregone conclusion that the Chilean would be re-classified as a forward in next year’s game.
But after dropping back into an attacking midfield role following Wenger’s successful switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation, there’s a little more uncertainty now.
Sanchez was, through most of the second half of the campaign, the only viable option in the Arsenal attack as the likes of Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil saw their form fade and Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck shared playing time in the lone striker role.
A price hike for Sanchez could mean that other Gunners attackers offer value through parts of next season, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey, who both found form in the 3-4-2-1 towards the end of the campaign, possible mid-price differentials.
Despite a generally disappointing campaign, Ozil still ranked third among FPL midfielders for chances created, with 100, and produced 167 points – making it his second-best FPL season.
If the German remains at the Emirates, he may enjoy a revival depending on his price tag.
But having ended his best ever season in England with an outstanding performance and a goal in the 2-1 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final, it’s Sanchez who is set to continue as a Fantasy heavyweight next term.
He registered more shots from inside the box (79) than any other FPL midfielder in 2016/17, highlighting his unrivalled goal threat.
Price, FPL classification, his playing position and the form of cheaper Arsenal attackers could all be factors in how we view Sanchez in 2017/18, but his phenomenal output this season suggests he’ll remain one of the most sought-after premium assets.
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