Arsene Wenger has warned Chile against making a ‘suicidal decision’ with the fitness of Alexis Sanchez.
The Arsenal forward was left out of the squad for Chile’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia after suffering a hamstring injury in training. However, the 27-year-old said on Wednesday that he hoped to be able to play next week against Uruguay.
Arsenal manager Wenger warned against that possibility, and admitted he wanted his own staff to assess Sanchez before he played again.
‘I got a text last night [to say] that he has a hamstring injury” Wenger told BeIn Sport.
‘The team from Chile has travelled without him and they kept him to try and get him fit to play Uruguay for the second game on Tuesday night.
‘We have to get access for our medical staff to the MRI scan to see what grade it is, how bad it is and make absolutely sure they don’t make any suicidal decision that could harm his future for two or three months.
‘That is absolutely important. 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.
‘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, who are fourth in the Premier League following last weekend’s north London derby against Spurs, take on Jose Mourinho and Manchester United at Old Trafford after the end of the international break. Not having a fully fit Alexis for that match would be a big blow to the Gunners.
