Arsene Wenger believes Alexis Sanchez is best playing for Arsenal as a STRIKER

Sanchez has deputised as a front man in recent weeks and Wenger believes that is where he is most effective when he plays for the Gunners

Arsene Wenger believes that Alexis Sanchez is best for Arsenal when he plays as a striker.

The Chilean has deputised as a front man this season as Olivier Giroud has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates.

And there could be more woes for Giroud, who is fully fit and ready to play, as Wenger believes that he gets the best out of Sanchez when he is leading the line.

But Wenger admits that he will consider moving Sanchez back to the wing in order to fit Giroud into the team.

“I see him (Sanchez) there (as centre-forward),” Wenger said.

“He has a short technique and can always create something. He has a good mixture between scoring and giving the final ball.

“Giroud and Sanchez are completely different, but they can as well play together. I have to move Alexis out as I always have that problem with Mesut Ozil being behind the striker, he can not move much deeper.

“As much deeper you need defensively to work. So one will have to move wide. And if you move one of them wide, it can only be Alexis.

“It is a good option to have. To leave quality players out is tough. But the toughest thing is not to have quality players.”

Giroud is pushing for a return back into the Arsenal starting XI for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

The Frenchman is yet to start a game for the Gunners this season after being granted an extended break from action following Euro 2016.

But an injury to Lucas Perez could force his name back in to the equation.