Sanchez scores brace as Arsenal climbs to fifth spot in PL table post 3-0 win over Stoke

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez scored a brace as Arsenal routed Stoke City 3-0 to climb above neighbours Tottenham Hotspur into the fifth place in the Premier League table.

Laurent Koscielny took advantage of slack marking to head the hosts into an early lead from Sanchez's cross. The Chile international then finished off a neat move with Tomas Rosicky to double Arsenal's lead before half-time.

Just four minutes into the half time, Sanchez added his second goal of the game and 18th of the season from a free kick shortly, the BBC reported.

It proved a relatively routine victory for an Arsenal side and for David Ospina, who retained his place after the 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Hull, as the Colombia international started his first Premier League game.

Wojciech Szczesny was dropped to the bench following reports that he was caught smoking in the showers after the New Year's Day defeat at Southampton.

Arsenal's intent was made clear when Sanchez and Tomas Rosicky forced goalkeeper Asmir Begovic into saves in the opening five minutes. And within 60 seconds Koscielny took advantage of Arsenal's third corner of the match by heading in Sanchez's delivery.

Then Sanchez doubled the lead with his 17th goal of the season, with a low shot in to the bottom left-hand corner after a smart one-two with Rosicky.

Soon after the break, Sanchez was among the goals again. His free-kick squeezed through the wall and Begovic was unable to stop the ball crossing the line via his body and a post.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed that his side had a strong start and knew that was vital, adding that Sanchez is one of the best players. He insisted that the Chilean is a fighter with a combination of talent and fighting spirit which is very difficult to find.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes said that his side feels like they could have done better, admitting that they got off to a poor start and fell behind early.