Arsenal injury news: Bandaged Alexis Sanchez back in Chile training as Gunners fear further thigh damage

Back to business: Sanchez returned to training with Chile on Sunday
EPA
James Benge14 November 2016

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez returned to training with the Chile national side on Sunday ahead of his country’s World Cup qualifier with Uruguay, a match Arsene Wenger will be desperate for him to miss.

Sanchez joined the training session with a heavily bandaged right thigh and was seen doing ball work, though it has been reported he did not play a full part in his side’s workout.

The 27-year-old reported for international duty last week and was swiftly diagnosed with a thigh injury, remaining in Santiago whilst the Chile squad were held to a 0-0 draw in Colombia.

Despite Wenger saying that risking Sanchez’s fitness could be “suicidal” and result in a lengthy layoff the Chilean federation have suggested that they will consider their star striker for what could prove to be a crucial tie for La Roja, currently fifth in the South American qualifying table and occupying a playoff spot for a World Cup qualifier, at home to second-placed Uruguay.

Wenger faces his own set of decisive fixtures after the international break, starting with a trip to Manchester United and a home Champions League tie with Paris St Germain, and last week offered a warning to Chile over their use of Sanchez.

“It’s a grey area between the national team and the club team and of course they look at their own results, which I can understand but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez,” Wenger told beIN Sports.

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“He always wants to play and that's where it is a more sensitive case because he's always ready to play even when injured.”

Arsenal’s hopes of having a fully-fit Sanchez in place for Saturday’s lunch time kick-off at Old Trafford, a difficult task in and of itself with Chile’s match taking place in the early hours of Wednesday morning, will not be aided by the Chile forward’s famed willingness to play through the pain barrier; such is his joy in the game.

Wenger faced similar problems last year, ultimately losing Sanchez for two months after he picked up a hamstring injury in a draw at Norwich with his manager admitting at the time that the forward was already in the “red zone”.

Sanchez may not be easily dissuaded if Chile physios allow him to play – he told El Mercurio on Thursday: "It is hurting a bit but I'm fine. I’ll be back for Tuesday.”

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