The Gunners chief delivered his verdict on the South American strikers ahead of tomorrow’s home tie with Liverpool – the club who refused to sell him Suarez two years ago.
Much has changed for both sides since that farcical transfer saga which saw the Gunners bid £40million and £1, wrongly thinking that figure would trigger a release clause in the Uruguayan’s contract.
Liverpool did, of course, lose Suarez to Barcelona a year later – a move that, ironically, led to the Spanish giants offloading Sanchez to Arsenal for £35million.
And judging by his comments yesterday, Wenger is more than happy with how things eventually panned out.
Asked who is the better player out of the two, the Frenchman’s response was emphatic and immediate. He said: “They are at the same level.
“Suarez is a central striker and Sanchez is more of a wide player who likes to go up and down the pitch more and does more dribbling.
“But they both have similarities. They are both from South America, where they are richer in strikers than in Europe. “
Alexis has that desire to go forward and provoke. He is the guy who provokes chaos in opposition defences because he has a go at them. That’s what makes him dangerous.”
On paper, at least, Suarez, 28, enjoyed a far more successful first season at the Nou Camp than Sanchez did at The Emirates.
Alongside his fellow South Americans Lionel Messi and Neymar, Suarez lifted three trophies, whereas Sanchez only managed an FA Cup success on these shores.
Yet the Arsenal ace did plunder 25 goals in all competitions and became an instant hit with fans.
And Wenger is confident Sanchez, 26, will have an even greater impact on events this season.
He added: “Alexis is already better than when he arrived. His final ball is better and his vision is good and incisive. But there is room for improvement from him.
His finishing in the final third of the pitch can improve and it will because Sanchez is a winner.
He plays to win in every single game.
“I’ve had players like that before – but not with his style.”
Wenger also praised his player’s physical presence, something that is key in the Premier League.
“In the first two yards, he is lightning quick,” Wenger said.
“And then he has that explosive attitude linked with his spirit. That makes him even more spectacular.”
How Arsenal will cope should they lose the inspirational Sanchez for any length of time is a real worry.
And on the evidence of their 2-0 defeat to West Ham in the first game of the season – when Sanchez started on the bench – they are nowhere near the same attacking force without him.
That theory was backed up by his dynamic performance in the opening minutes against Crystal Palace, where he was a constant menace and eventually forced the winner by pressuring Damien Delaney into an own goal.
And that is why Wenger is under pressure to bolster his attacking options. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema remains a target and PSG forward Edinson Cavani is also on Wenger’s radar.
Having seen rivals Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United spend huge sums already this summer, Wenger accepts he may have to roll the dice before deadline day.
He said: “There is always time to take a gamble – and we are not against taking one.
“There’s pressure to keep up with the other English clubs, who have all spent money. But only one can win the title.
“That’s why you have to keep your nerve and not buy just because others buy.”
