Michael Owen is not known for his intelligent and insightful remarks as a pundit. There’s a good reason for that.

His latest claim isn’t exactly outlandish but certainly won’t get Arsenal fans on his side, as he says Alexis Sánchez wouldn’t get in the Chelsea team as Belgian winger Eden Hazard is a better player.

Alexis enjoyed a superb first season in England, scoring 25 goals for the Gunners and saving his very best strike for the FA Cup final as he lifted his first trophy in Arsenal colours. Hazard was, no doubt, fantastic for Chelsea. He won PFA Player of the Year as José Mourinho’s men strolled to the Premier League title.

But this season will hopefully be different. Arsenal will be hoping to win the title, and Alexis can provide a little firepower that Hazard just doesn’t quite manage.

“I am big fan of Alexis Sanchez,” Owen insisted. “In fact, I think he is one of the league’s top players – but he plays on the left and he wouldn’t be ousting Hazard out of the Chelsea side any time soon.

“Hazard underlines what I [believe] about Chelsea holding many of the aces in this league.”

For the record I think Hazard is a fantastic player, but Alexis will only get better. José Mourinho recently said the Belgian is in the same bracket as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi which, frankly, is absurd.

If we want to talk about directly influencing games Alexis, while often erratic, does so more often than anyone else in England. He’s one of the reasons I would say Arsenal hold at least one or two ‘of the aces’ in this league.

Hazard is fantastic, but Alexis could just prove to be Arsenal’s trump card this year.