'Incredible' Alexis Sanchez can carry Arsenal to the title like Eden Hazard did for Chelsea, says Owen Hargreaves

Tom Doyle4 December 2016

Arsenal have a real chance of winning the Premier League title for the first time since 2004 because of Alexis Sanchez's "incredible" displays, according to Owen Hargreaves.

Sanchez scored a sublime hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed West Ham 5-1 at London Stadium on Saturday, helping Arsene Wenger's side keep pace with Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Eden Hazard is back in form for Chelsea after a disappointing 2015/16 season, with the Belgian recapturing the form which saw him awarded the PFA Player of the Year award as the Blues lifted the title in the previous campaign.

Sanchez is now level in the top flight scoring charts with 11 goals in 14 games, and Hargeaves - who won domestic titles and the Champions League at both Bayern Munich and Manchester United - believes the Chile forward can follow in Hazard's footsteps to deliver silverware for the Gunners.

Speaking to BT Sport about Sanchez's performance against West Ham, Hargreaves said: "I thought he was incredible, honestly.

"Eden Hazard carried Chelsea to the title a couple of season ago; with the way [Sanchez] played, he could carry Arsenal to the title.

In Pictures | West Ham vs Arsenal | 03/12/2016

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"There are better teams, I think Liverpool and Chelsea, but the way he played as an individual is one of the best performances that I've seen in a long time."

Asked whether Sanchez was the best player in the league, Hargreaves' former United team-mate Rio Ferdinand responded: "He's definitely one of [them].

"I think Hazard takes some beating when they're all on song, but this guy, he's carrying this team.

"He's the guy that is the inspiration. [In] defining moments of games, he's taking the opportunities."