VICTOR VALDES has hailed Alexis Sanchez as a 'special player' - but is not looking forward to his reunion with the Arsenal striker.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Valdes and Sanchez were team-mates at Barcelona between 2011 and 2014, enjoying trophy-laden success at the Nou Camp.
Sanchez struggled to nail down a regular first-team spot for much of the three seasons he was at Barca, but has become a talisman for Arsenal since moving to the Emirates.
The Chile international has scored six goals in his last 11 matches - his last being a sublime chip in the 6-0 win over Ludogorets in the Champions League - for the Gunners and has become one of the most feared strikers in the both the Premier League and in Europe.
And Valdes insists Boro will have to remain switched on at the Emirates tomorrow (3pm) if they are to keep Sanchez at bay.
Arsenal predicted line-up to face Middlesbrough
Fri, October 21, 2016Click through the gallery for Arsenal's predicted line-up to face Middlesbrough
Click through the gallery for Arsenal's predicted line-up to face Middlesbrough
“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.”