Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he intends to deploy his high-profile summer signing Alexis Sanchez as a striker this season.

The Chile star, 25, has been used as a winger throughout his career, but Wenger believes that he is best suited to a central role.

"He is a striker and he's a good finisher," Wenger told the club's official website.

"He made a great impression in Italy, I saw him there and he was really outstanding. Then at Barcelona it was a bit more different, but it's like you could see with Neymar, because there you have Lionel Messi. You see Neymar with Brazil and Neymar with Barcelona and it's not the same.

"I like the fact he can play left, right, up front and that's why I went for him."

Arsenal begin their Premier League season with a home clash against Crystal Palace on August 16.