Sanchez double lifts Arsenal into third place

London

Consecutive draws had all but ended Arsenal’s chances of overhauling Premier League leaders Leicester City and they began the night only a point above fifth-placed Manchester United in the battle to secure Champions League football.

However, Sanchez struck twice before halftime and Arsenal were untroubled by a poor West Brom side as they registered their 500th victory in the Premier League.

They moved above Manchester City into third place with 63 points and, with two of their last four games at home to struggling Norwich City and relegated Aston Villa, Arsene Wenger’s side are well set to finish in the top four. With many season-ticket holders electing to miss the game in frustration at another botched title challenge, the atmosphere was flat inside a stadium with lots of empty red seats. Sanchez turned sharply to shoot low past keeper Ben Foster after six minutes and struck again with a free kick.