Arsene Wenger hails battling Alexis Sanchez

Arsene Wenger has paid tribute to Alexis Sanchez for his performance in Arsenal's 2-0 FA Cup win over Hull City this evening.

The Chilean impressed throughout and secured the game with a fine second goal as the reigning champions eased past last year's beaten finalists en route to the fourth round.

It was Arsenal's fourth fixture in the space of 10 days, but Wenger says that he was confident of Sanchez - signed from Barcelona in the summer - coming through the festive period unscathed.

"He is lively and always dangerous," he told Sky Sports News. "Alexis has a change of direction, is incisive and penetrating, and has also a good fighting spirit.

"You look at the players who have that confidence and you are torn between when a player is that confident to keep him on playing or give him a rest.

"But when the players are confident it is important to keep them going, especially when they have that physical potential. Sanchez recovers very quickly and he doesn't look in our tests to have any fatigue problem."

The 25-year-old, who joined the North Londoners for £35m in July, has netted 16 times in all competitions this season.