Arsene Wenger confirms major Alexis Sanchez worry ahead of Watford clash

Alexis Sanchez scored in both of Chile's matches during the international break

ARSENE WENGER admits he faces a nervous wait to see what condition Alexis Sanchez arrives back from international duty in having sent the Arsenal playmaker to Chile “even better than before”.

 

Sanchez scored twice in his last game against Manchester United but limped off nine minutes before the end after picking up a knock.

Nevertheless, he flew half-way round the world to play in his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Chile, scoring in both to take his tally to nine in five games for club and country.

Wenger will find out what sort of condition his player is in when he finally lands back in England and said: “Let’s see what happens and how he comes back.

 

"He comes back at 2pm today and I don’t think there is a lot you can do because he played. We have to see if we have to protect him in our next game or not.

“I cannot do a lot about him playing. He came off as you have seen against Manchester United with a hip problem, a problem with the rotator muscle and he wanted to go.

“He played in the last two games and we have to see how he comes back but it is always a tricky situation.

“Chile are trying to qualify for the World Cup and he is an important player for them but they will use him if they can.

Sanchez (left) scored against Brazil last week

Sanchez (left) hobbled off injured during Arsenal's 3-0 win over Manchester United

He is a guy that always wants to play so I knew that was always going to be a tricky situation.

“He has a bit of a difficult start because he came back late and you could see that but now he is back to his level and even better than before.

"His overall game and finishing, contributing and assists is excellent.

“He works hard for the team and he finishes. His enthusiasm is contagious. He always gives you hope that he is going to do something and he gets defenders always on the back foot, provokes and that is top class.“

 

With no other reported problems from the international break, Wenger is certainly relieved to have escaped better than some of his peers.

Manuel Pellegrini, for example, is still coming to terms with the double headache of losing both David Silva and Sergio Aguero to injuries picked up on international duty.

“The only thing today is Laurent Koscielny has a definite test to see if he is available or not,” Wenger said.

"“At the time Mikel Arteta and Matthieu Flamini will certainly be available for selection.

"We have three players who could come back and be available again and I don’t think we lost anybody from our last game.”