Arsenal vs West Bromwich Albion: Arsene Wenger reveals key reason for Alexis Sanchez's return to form

Alexis Sanchez's coming back to form has been the only highlight for Arsenal in recent weeks as they saw their title challenge being extinguished with draws against West Ham United and Crystal Palace. The north London club have gone from Premier League title contenders in February to fighting for a place in the top four. The Gunners have won just two of their last seven league games leaving them 13 points behind leaders Leicester City.

Arsene Wenger is delighted with the Chilean's return to form and believes his change of position from the left-wing to the right is one of the main reasons for his return to form, which has seen him score four goals and provide three assists in his last six games in the Premier League. Sanchez, however, has failed to meet the high bar he set during his debut campaign, which saw him finish with 25 goals in all competitions. But, he was sidelined with a hamstring injury for over a month, and the manager believes that it had a major affect on his form.

"He is much sharper. He is much more electric in his dribbling and much more confident. He scores goals again," Wenger told Arsenal's official site ahead of their game against West Bromwich Albion on Thursday (22 April).

"He looks to me to be more comfortable in his movement, especially in his movement in behind. When he plays on the left, he likes to drift in then come back. When he plays on the right, his runs in behind are better."

"It is more natural for him than on the left. His game is a bit more predictable on the left, on the right he is unpredictable because he can go outside and inside. On the left he looks to always come inside and that's easier to block. On the other hand, he is physically sharper and stronger, and that is very important when you are a striker," Wenger explained, as quoted by the London Evening Standard.

"Before he got injured he looked a bit tired and less reactive. Part of his game is very instinctive and based on dribbling. That has to be instinctive and for that you need a freshness and sharpness. It is true that just before the injury, he looked a bit on the edge."