Sanchez vs Mkhi - Final Table

[Pagnell]

Mkhitaryan showing he's slightly less shit than Sanchez.

 

[Benji]

GW6:
It was a close one this week. Both had periods where they disappeared from the game, but both showed some good instances of what they can do.
While the two goals bypassed him somewhat, Sanchez did play a great ball in for Mata's overhead kick attempt. If he took all the time he had available I am sure it would have been a goal. In the second half, Man Utd defended with good organisation and Sanchez became used as an outlet to take the pressure off. The home side failed to have a shot in the second half until the dying minutes when the game became stretched, but Sanchez did put in one more good cross which could have sewn the game up.

Mkhitaryan didn't have much impact on the first half, but was crucial in the second half. Arsenal looked far more relaxed than they have in recent league games as they beat Watford quite handily. They were already 1-0 when Mkhitaryan's first big contribution was made. On the counter, he played in a brilliantly timed ball for Aubameyang to finish. At 2-0, Watford began to push and failed to convert a penalty, soon after Mkhitaryan should have won a penalty for Arsenal but the referee wasn't paying attention. He was also able to get himself on the score sheet to wrap the game up before making way for the substitution.

I'm giving this as a 2-1 win to Mkhitaryan.

 

[Lionel Messi]

Alexis Sanchez should not have chosen to sign for Mourinho’s Manchester United. He would have been a better fit in Pep’s squad. I detest seeing players of the calibre of Pogba and Sanchez being used this way

 

[Benji]

GW7 Preview

With the international break becoming just a distant memory of overt racism from the 2018 World Cup hosts, we can prepare to breathe in the racism-free contest of Sanchez vs Mkhitaryan once again. The drab ties between countries we didn't realise were autonomous give way to two players who definitely are!

It's another exciting (subjective) weekend of Premier League action, and more importantly 2 Premier League players action. Sanchez will be visited by a Bevy of Swans (it's right I checked). I can't remember if Man Utd were amazing of rubbish when we last clocked off, but ultimately it doesn't seem to matter for a faltering Alexis Sanchez. Man Utd have lost Ibrahimovic in the meantime which will have a huge effect on them for some reason I presume, or they wouldn't have kept him for 6 months.

Arsenal will take it easy on Saturday awaiting the visit of Paul Lambert's Stoke City, who are certainly rubbish but have that weird leg-break based rivalry with Arsenal. Not sure who could possibly be morally right in that debate, but I do think Mkhitaryan will be fancying his chances against them. Arsenal were looking a bit better in their post-Potential Of Impressing Anyone status, and Mkhitaryan looked good in the Europa League I think.

Both teams will certainly expect to get points on the board, but how will Sanchez and Mkhitaryan do?

 

[epic73]

No international points?

 

[Benji]

I wasn't moved to watch the Armenia highlights in their outings against Estonia or Lithuania. Did Sanchez do anything interesting?

 

[HarvSFC]

Mkhitaryan was named Armenia’s footballer of the year for the seventh consecutive year over the international break: http://www.espn.com/soccer/arsenal/...eventh-straight-armenian-player-of-year-award

Comprehensive Mkhitaryan victory.

 

[epic73]

Maybe next time, Aras Özbiliz.

 

[Benji]

GW7:
Sanchez looked better yesterday. Swansea weren't able to put up much of a fight, but he made an assist for Lukaku and scored the second himself when he broke the offside trap. Aside from that it looked like a quiet game in the highlights, but possibly the first signs of Sanchez settling in a bit more.
Mkhitaryan fans will be bemoaning the selection of Arsene Wenger as Mkhitaryan gets only 15 minutes to show what he can do. Arsenal struggled to put a dangerous attack together until scoring a fortunate penalty previous to the Armenian's inclusion. Arsenal certainly improved after the first goal and his introduction, but it's not enough for him to peg back Sanchez's lead.

It's a 2-0 win for Sanchez.

 

[Benji]

GW8 Preview

Woops, I'm slightly late to preview this so you will only have a few hours to get excited for the 8th tie between Sanchez and Mkhitaryan.

Sanchez is making the short trip to the better (in terms of football) half of Manchester as their opponents look to win the league. Perhaps fortunate for himself and Man Utd, they also have a more important tie in the week to focus on so the team sheet may be in Man Utd's favour. Potentially on the down side for Sanchez, Jose will likely be extra keen not to allow a defeat so attacks may be restricted.

Mkhitaryan and Arsenal have the more favourable tie of the weekend as all-round disaster Southampton journey to London. Coming off an excellent midweek performance, Arsenal are in quite good form so should be confident in dispatching the Puel-sacking Southerners.

And it's live!

 

[Stevencc]

Update.

 

[Benji]

2 goals for Sanchez for his influence in Man Utd's comeback. Thought he was awful in the first half, so he should count himself lucky they got the win.

 

[Stevencc]

You are a disgrace, mate.

 

[Benji]

I call it how I see it.

 

[Benji]

GW8:
It was quite a game of two halves for Alexis Sanchez yesterday evening. In the first half, he lost the ball time and time again as City went on to romp Man Utd 2-0 before half time. It was a party atmosphere in the City of Manchester Stadium as Man City enjoyed the inevitable stroll to becoming Champions. They enjoyed it so much that they let Man Utd come back into the game as Pogba bundled the ball over the line. Not to worry, this wasn't going to stop the boys in blue enjoying their big day.

OR
SO
WE
THOUGHT

Sanchez pops up with two assists and Man Utd win the game, changing the entire landscape of the Premier League season. And now against all odds, it looks as thought Man City will win the league and Man Utd will finish in the top four. The first was a stunning ball by Sanchez as Pogba made the kind of run into the box that Mourinho loathes. The second was a perfectly weighted delivery from a free kick which found Smalling in lots of space for the winner.

So with that settled, all eyes on Mkhitaryan to see what he can do.

Not in the squad.

Sanchez 2- 0 Mkhitaryan

 

[Benji]

Sorry fans, I'm preparing for exams so I'm missing a lot of football. I know this is late, but here we go.

GW9 Preview

With news of Mkhitaryan potentially being out for the season, Sanchez will be looking to wrap the title up. And who better to face than bottom of the league, Pardew-less West Bromwich Albion. This should surely be a rout for Man Utd after their very promising second half last week. Presumably, that wasn't just a blip caused by Man City having other things concerning them and was indeed a statement of intent from Mourinho's boys.

Sanchez's form is still rather hot and cold at best, but he will be eyeing up this fixture and licking his lips. A home game against by far the worst team in the league. We are all expecting goals and assists for Alexis and a big win. Under the guidance of Mourinho, who is always at his best in his second season, nothing can go wrong in this fixture.

 

[Benji]

GW9:
We awake on a sunny(?) day in Manchester with Mkhitaryan out of action, we are ready for a walkover this week. But hello, what's this?

West Brom win 1-0? No home goals for Man Utd against the bottom placed team. Huge disappointment. I didn't see the game, but Mourinho said something about "too many touches", which I am presuming is something to do with Sanchez.

Sanchez 0 - 0 Mkhitaryan

 

[Stevencc]

Disgraceful bias being shown here, imo.

 

[Benji]

GW10:

Neither player features. 0-0

Cup Game:
Sanchez scores, assists and wins man of the match. This puts him 3-1 in the lead in the Cup tie!

 

[Stevencc]

Strong review, I approve.

 

[Benji]

GW11 Preview

This would have been SO exciting if Mkhitaryan was fit, but he doesn't look likely to play. There are 3 points in the race, and the boys face off with just a few games remaining.

As it is, we will just have to wonder if Arsenal's not-so-resilient defence can keep their old pal quiet. Sanchez played well in the Cup, but will it translate to league form? You would expect Arsenal to have other things on their mind in this one, like trying to overcome the worst away record in Europe to win at one of the best home teams in Europe.

Anyway, I'm excited to see if Sanchez is friendly with anyone from Arsenal.

 

[Benji]

GW11:
The two names finally face off at the Theatre of Dreams as Arsenal visit Man Utd. A slightly weaker Arsenal side takes to the field, as they prepare for a tricky midweek trip to Madrid. I speak for us all when I say, I believe this rest will be the difference Arsenal need to do Blighty proud, beat the forrins and be in the final!

Stunning scenes on the pitch see a foul in the middle of the park go unpunished, allowing Pogba to stride forward, play it wide and await the cross. The ball goes to the back post, for Sanchez to head it against the post. Pogba taps in the rebound.

The tie goes back and forth, before Mkhitaryan scores a daisy-cutting equaliser from distance. He holds his hand up, very respectful. He is replaced shortly after, but didn't have much of an impact aside from the goal (from distant memory).

Sanchez 1 - 1 Mkhitaryan

 

[Benji]

GW12:
Man Utd travel down to the south coast to face seagull enthusiasts, Brighton and Hove Albion. It'll be a tough occasion for the expensively assembled boys in red, as Brighton and Hove will be looking to secure survival if they somehow overcome the frankly obscene disparity in their respective budgets.

For Arsenal, this is the first chance Mkhitaryan and the boys had to properly show their appreciation for a great manager. Dyche and his rabble from Burnley visit The Emirates.

Wow, Brighton and Hove somehow manage to beat emerge victorious from their Friday night scrap. Sanchez doesn't feature at all, possibly related? Mkhitaryan will be licking his lips at the chance to make a difference as Arsenal face off the next day.

Doing well to avoid nasty chapped lips, Mkhitaryan plays and Arsenal handily see off their 6th place rivals winning 5-0. Mkhitaryan plays very well in midfield, but doesn't really manage to be directly involved in any goals, often seen stood behind Lacazette and Aubameyang as they finish off a cross.

Sanchez 0 - 1 Mkhitaryan

 

[Benji]

GW13:
Man Utd look to add to the problems at London Stadium, visiting London Ham (I think their owners want them to be called). In the opposite dugout to Sanchez when he is inevitably substituted by clean sheet obsessive Mourinho, is David Moyes who has never managed him. But he did manage Man Utd, and is still enjoying the rewards of the lengthy contract he accepted with them 7 years ago. He is not enjoying the reputation he was left with, which clutches to him like manure to a tractor. In my opinion, nobody should be ashamed to be connected to Man Utd.

Arsenal visit champions turned snakes turned nice turned racist turned nice turned midtable Leicester City. You might know that until now, Arsenal have failed to earn a point away from home for all of 2018. But off the back of last weeks results, their unwanted record could be in danger.

The country breathes a collective sigh of relief as Mavropanos (I don't know either) gets sent off early on and Arsenal go 1-0 down. But the tie wasn't dead, Mkhitaryan watched on once again as Aubameyang gets on the end of a cross. He hits the post, but who should be there for the rebound? Mkhitaryan, who watches on again as Aubameyang scores the rebound. Arsenal proceed to lose 3-1.

A night later, and London Stadium is the stage. Big and glamorous, but let down by its suitability to football, Man Utd face West Ham. It's a drab 0-0, and Moyes was later heard commenting that it was "hardly worth talking about".

Sanchez 0 - 0 Mkhitaryan

 

[Benji]

GW14:
Those of you with a calculator will know that we are on equal points heading into the final day of the season. You know how much each player wants to win this, so it's no surprise to see both feature on the final day, even though Man Utd have a cup final to look forward to.

All games kick off at the same time for maximum tension. Each game had an end of school feel to it, and across the Premier League it was very much defenders' day off. This was most apparent at Old Trafford as a simple route one pass is enough to shock and confuse the Watford defence, leaving Mata and Rashford through on goal. Sanchez watches on as the ball is slotted away, this could have been his moment.

Minutes late in Huddersfield, Mkhitaryan is the meat in a Great Move Sandwich as Arsenal go 1-0 up, dreaming of getting their first away points of the year on the board.

The last bit of action of the season involves neither of these palyers as Ospina makes a wonderful save preventing a Huddersfield equaliser. It did indeed prove to be Sanchez's last chance.

Sanchez 0 - 1 Mkhitaryan

 

[epic73]

Rigged imvho.

 

[Benji]

Wow, what a season. The cup game is still yet to be played, but with a 3-1 lead, it is not possible for Sanchez to lose this one. It was certainly very close in the league, narrowly edged by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Perhaps it is fitting that he wins the league while Sanchez wins the cup. Smiles for everyone.

Congratulations to our Sanchez vs Mkhitaryan League winner, Henrikh Mkhitaryan!

Congratulations to our Sanchitaryan Cup winner, Alexis Sanchez!

 

[epic73]

Do one next season for Sean Maguire vs Messi.

 

[Benji]

Maybe. I'll wait until some exciting transfer business has been done, so if Maguire gets his dream move to Real Madrid, then it would be written in the stars for me to do it.

 

[epic73]

Or if Messi moves to Blackpool and they meet in the cup?