text: Alexis Sanchez is the only current player good enough to get into the great Arsenal teams of yesteryear, according to club legend Frank McLintock. The Chile international has been a smash hit since arriving from Barcelona last summer and his 20 goals in all competitions have powered Arsenal's season. The Gunners are second in the Barclays Premier League following an eight-match winning run and face Reading on Saturday in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The performances of Chilean star Alexis Sanchez have caught the eye of Arsenal legend Frank McLintock . Scottish defender McLintock made 403 appearances for the Highbury club between 1964 and 1973 . McLintock lifts the FA Cup following Arsenal's win over Liverpool in 1971, part of their Double win . And McLintock, the Scottish defender who made 403 appearances for the club between 1964 and 1973, has praised his debut-season contribution. He told Perform: 'I heard it said recently how many of the Arsenal side would get into past Arsenal sides? 'They said probably Sanchez and that's not too far away. Two or three others would come close.' Arsenal have left their good form too late to sustain a title push, with Chelsea currently seven-points ahead with a game in hand. Sanchez celebrates with team-mate Aaron Ramsey after the Welshman scored their winner at Burnley . Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's third goal against Liverpool last Saturday . Frank McLintock was a Scottish centre-half who joined Arsenal for a club record £80,000 in October 1964. He spent nine seasons at Highbury, the latter part as club captain. He won the league title in 1971, along with the FA Cup, which Arsenal retained 12 months later. They also tasted European success in 1970, beating Anderlecht to win the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. In all, he played 403 matches for the club, scoring 32 goals. And McLintock believes the club need to raise their expectations ahead of the next campaign. He said: 'I think we have to be a bit better than we are. But they're doing well, I'm happy they're doing well - it's a good sign. 'I don't want to see Arsenal talking about getting top four, I can't believe they're setting their standards that low. 'They should be talking about wanting to win the championship and winning our first European Cup. 'I don't want to see us talking as though getting fourth place is good enough, we should be aiming our sights much higher.'
target: Former Arsenal defender impressed by Chilean star's debut season .
  Says Sanchez would be close to winning a place in best Gunners teams .
  Arsenal are second in Premier League after eight-match winning run .
  They also face Reading this Saturday in semi-finals of FA Cup .
  READ: Arsenal have doubts over signing Liverpool star Sterling .