Sanchez settles Arsenal nerves

LONDON — Alexis Sanchez’s double eased Arsenal back into third place with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion Thursday, smoothing the north London team’s pursuit of Champions League qualification after consecutive draws. Arsenal moved two points ahead of Manchester City, which was held by Newcastle Tuesday, and four ahead of fifth-place Manchester United. Securing a place in the top four of the English Premier League is the remaining target for manager Arsene Wenger, with Arsenal 10 points behind leader Leicester and only 12 points to play for. “We are under permanent pressure,” Wenger said. “There are top teams who are behind us. Because Leicester is front everyone thinks we should have done it (won the title). But you can say that for any other team because Leicester was bottom of the table last year.” Arsenal fans with loftier ambitions are not satisfied with the 12-year title drought, and there was the unusual sight of thousands of empty seats for a rare Thursday night game at Emirates Stadium. “If you love football you go out there and I think you see quality football,” Wenger said in a message to fans. Arsenal announces tickets sold (59,568) rather than the actual attendance but those supporters who did turn up didn’t have to wait long to see a goal. Sanchez received a pass from Aaron Ramsey in the sixth minute and spun past Sandro before picking a spot in the bottom corner of the net. “It helped us to focus more on the way we played and not be anxious,” Wenger said. “(Sanchez) is back — sharper, more confident.” And he curled in his 15th goal of the season directly from a free kick in the 38th past Ben Foster after his teammates in the defensive wall split for him. With Arsenal enjoying more than 70 percent of possession, this was the type of game in which Arsenal should have secured a commanding scoreline. On other days, such as Sunday when Arsenal was held by Crystal Palace to 1-1, the team is made to pay for such wastefulness in front of goal. Three months ago, the Gunners were ahead of Leicester at the top of the standings on goal difference and now they are 10 points adrift. “Of course we have regrets,” Wenger said. Granada leaves relegation zone Youssef El Arabi’s hat trick helped Granada rout Levante 5-1 and leave the relegation zone in the Spanish league Thursday. The result lifted Granada a point above Sporting Gijon, which was among the relegation spots. Levante dropped to last place, after Getafe won at Real Sociedad 2-1 to move to second-to-last. Brocchi secures point in home debut New AC Milan coach Cristian Brocchi didn’t get the home debut result he was hoping for in a 0-0 draw with relegation-threatened Carpi in Serie A Thursday. With Mario Balotelli and Carlos Bacca leading the way, the Rossoneri produced numerous chances but couldn’t quite find the target as Carpi consistently positioned its entire squad behind the ball. The draw left Milan six points behind fifth-place Fiorentina in the race for the final Europa League spot. Carpi moved two points above the drop zone. — Agencies