Alexis Sanchez has had a good season in a slightly different role for Arsneal, thanks to some unnamed internet videos.
As Arsenal’s “false nine”, Sanchez plays nominally as a striker up against the two centre backs, but as play develops he is able to push out wide to the wings or drop deep. This creates space for his teammates and pulls opposition formations out of synch.
The key factor is that the Chilean has the skill and vision to play such a free role, while still maintaining the striker’s instinct to get in front of defenders in the box. The headed goals Sanchez has scored despite his small stature is a great example of the way he possesses this desire.
As for tactical adjustment, according to the forward it was unnamed internet videos that helped him more than his manager:
“[The manager] is the one who decides, he is the one who changes things around and decides where we play. He asked me to play there so I said fine.” Sanchez is quoted as saying by Goal.
“I looked up some videos on the internet to see how I needed to adjust my movement and I have been adapting since then.”