Madmax

Sure buddy, whatever you say You can live with your hypothetical scenarios, I'll stick to what actually happens on the pitch ... as will the ones voting for the awards.

Pleasantly surprised to see Luis. Excellent lineup. Star Sports HD 4

No, saying someone ''would've stepped up anyway" when they're missing Giroud, Walcott, Ozil and Sanchez is nothing if not hypothetical.

Imagine clinching the title after the game vs Liverpool. Scenes

I think there's got to be a balance because at some stage for an attacker to be counted among the better players in the division or in the world, those dribbles and other aspects of approach play have to transcend into goals and assists. For a moment I wondered if I really was misremembering him vs United so I went back and watched his touches compilation and in my opinion it wasn't one of his best days. For the record I don't think there's much between him and Sanchez at all, but the latter has been more decisive and has carried a much worse team to where they are. Winning them those games is how he's gotten those numbers, so pretty much the same thing. Besides, it is hypothetical whether or not someone would've stepped up but what is real and tangible is that he did ... which is why I said what I did about them not being near where they are without his impact.

Nope, to be superb he needed to be decisive, which he wasn't. Not to say he was bad, but I expected more from him back then because he was capable of more. Thankfully he's improved a lot in that respect, as the City and Spurs games show.

So let me get this straight - one the one hand you say anyone could've "stepped up" and gotten the numbers Sanchez has and on the other you say it's easier for him as he's in a team where nobody else is capable of getting those numbers? Flawless logic. I admit he hasn't stood out consistently in these so-called big games you're all hung up about (although I can remember a beautiful goal vs City and another couple of good performances vs City away and United, I think) but that's natural because Arsenal are normally the worse side as a whole when compared to these opponents and that difference manifests itself. Besides, everyone on this list will underperform in some of these games - Aguero was nothing special in 180 mins against us, Hazard didn't travel well against United or Liverpool and the Fabregas thread is full of complaints about his fading away against the big boys. Again, you have your opinion but the general consensus in some of the other threads is that he's the one missing link in our attack and we should have snapped him up last summer or the one earlier.

It's bizarre that you're being so dismissive because without Sanchez they'd be mid-table and not even within sniffing distance of top 4. He's the most well-rounded attacker in the league with direct involvement in 19 goals (12 goals + 7 assists), not far off behind Costa (19; 17 + 2) or Aguero (20; 16+4) and in fact ahead of Cesc (17; 2+15), Hazard (14; 9 + 5) and Silva (9; 7+2) ... all this in a team that's been missing Giroud, Walcott and Ozil for most of the season thus far.

Sanchez for me, he's single-handedly dragged them through their injuries and non-availabilities whereas Hazard, Cesc, Costa, Silva, Aguero etc all while being great players having great seasons also have the luxury of playing in far better teams with far better team mates around them. Kane for Young POTY.

Can see him and Costa becoming great buddies as they discuss anti-ageing creams and fine-shave razors; they're both 26 and look about 35. Sign him up

Burnley are a good side, they gave us trouble in the second half at their place and we've not been scoring freely at all lately so I suspect Mourinho will go for his first choice defensive unit with the only real change up front being either Oscar or Cuadrado coming in for Rami and Cesc partnering Matic.

Some people here would be devastated

Is it me or do you have an issue with every aspect of everything at this club?

Not sure he has much of a say; he is under Third Party Ownership after all.

Is that realistic? Does he have any interest in coming back?

Was it 3-5 to us last season when PSG fans INSIDE the ground pelted disabled Chelsea supporters with debris and beer bottles?

I wouldn't bother mate. Stuff like this is why I've grown weary of this place.

Good to know I'm not the only one cursing at this thread since yesterday every time the post about Bayern's result comes up.

Gotta say I've really enjoyed watching Burnley this season and hope they stay up. They're a far more likeable unit than the dross around them (QPR, Villa) and they're also much better than the pathetic relegation fodder we get in the league from time to time (Wolves). Sean Dyche sets his team up well but isn't afraid to back his attackers either. Oh, and their 2-goal comeback at City sticks out as the most I've genuinely celebrated a non-Chelsea result in quite some time.

No you're right, we should recall the guy featured in your avatar and username.

Has the bar been set so low that expecting a team that cost ~ 200 million £ to be able to string 5 passes together in the opposition half is expecting something Barcelona-esqe?

Failing so consistently to control the ball in the most basic of situations deserves to be moaned about, one of the best strikers in the world or not. He'll always get close attention, it's up to him to better himself so him and us can benefit more.

I'm not talking about chances and finishing. He couldn't get into the game at all today ... kept giving the ball away with awful heavy touches and miscontrols. The best thing I remember him doing is that long pass to Hazard with the outside of his right foot in the second half.

Weird but seems like one of those who needs to play every game to keep his rhythm intact. He shouldn't be this bad with just having had a couple weeks off.

People who like to make a big deal of the whole English representation issue do realise we have the *gasp* England vice-captain in the squad, right? Cannot wait for him to be packed off this summer. Just go away, man.