Arsenal vs Middlesbrough: Victor Valdes wary of 'special' Alexis Sanchez as former Barcelona duo await reunion

On form: Sanchez scores the opener in Wednesday's 6-0 win over Ludogorets
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge21 October 2016

Victor Valdes is not looking forward to his reunion with Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez when Middlesbrough travel to the Emirates on Saturday.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Valdes and Sanchez were team-mates at Barcelona between 2011 and 2014, winning a La Liga title in 2013 and the Club World Cup in the Chilean’s first season at the club.

Sanchez found himself fighting to retain his first team place for much of his three seasons at the Nou Camp but has much less to prove at Arsenal, where he has enhanced his reputation to rank among the most feared forwards in world football.

“Alexis is a special guy and a special player,” Valdes said.

“He is very good in the last part of the pitch, hitting the target and finishing.

“We must be in very good attention against him because he can be very dangerous.

“At Arsenal, he might be playing a different way [than at Barcelona] but now he is in a very good way and has shown the rest of the world he is one of the best.”

Sanchez has scored six goals in 11 matches this season and enters Saturday’s match in fine form, having scored a sublime chip in a 6-0 win over Ludogorets in midweek.

Middlesbrough travel to London winless in their last six and only clear of the relegation zone on goal difference.

“We are always trying to win games but I think the last six matches have been very difficult for us,” Valdes said.

“We must keep going and show we can be a competitive team.

“It’s a big challenge for us to come against one of the top teams in the Premier League, but we’ll be going to the pitch for three points and trying to move up the table.”

You can follow tomorrow's match with Middlesbrough LIVE on Standard Sport. Click here for more information.

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