Alexis Sanchez is set to receive a winter break and return to Chile as he looks to recover from his hamstring injury in time for Arsenal’s crucial match against Manchester City.
Arsenal’s top scorer this season broke down midway through the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Norwich, just days after Arsene Wenger had admitted the state of the forward’s hamstring was cause for alarm.
The club had initially hoped that Sanchez may return to contention in time for next week’s Champions League tie away to Olympiakos, which Arsenal must win to qualify for the knockout stages.
Injury: Knee
Out since: April 2015
Due to return: January 2016
Welbeck was expected to miss the end of last season after picking up an injury in the FA Cup semi-final. It was subsequently announced just days after the transfer window closed that he had undergone surgery. With Theo Walcott also out Wenger has only Olivier Giroud in his strikeline.
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2/10
Tomas Rosicky
Injury: Knee
Out since: August 2015
Due to return: January 2016
After nearly 10 years at Arsenal Rosicky has become a fixture on the treatment table. The 35-year-old is yet to play any part this season but has previously come to the fore in the final months of the campaign as team-mates tire.
3/10
Jack Wilshere
Injury: Calf/Shin
Out since: April 2015
Due to return: January 2016
Another Arsenal player more likely to be found on the sidelines than on the pitch the latest setback may be among the most frustrating for Wilshere. After a bright preseason he picked up a knock just days before the Community Shield and is yet to return.
4/10
Theo Walcott
Injury: Muscular
Out since: October 2015
Due to return: Early December
Just as things seemed to be coming together for the Arsenal forward another injury disrupts his progress. Walcott had established himself as the first-choice striker and was building a formidable understanding with Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Now Olivier Giroud is Arsene Wenger's only option.
5/10
Francis Coquelin
Injury: Knee Ligament
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
Among the most crucial players in the Arsenal side, Coquelin's absence is expected to be a lengthy one after the anchorman appeared to damage his knee ligaments in a loss to West Brom. The 24-year-old had enjoyed a fine run of form in recent months and his absence will be particularly frustrating for Wenger.
6/10
Mikel Arteta
Injury: Calf
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
A replacement for Francis Coquelin the club captain lasted just 35 minutes of the 2-1 defeat to West Brom before coming off with a calf problem. It came just a few weeks after Arteta had returned from another injury - the 33-year-old has now been ruled out for the seventh time this season.
7/10
Laurent Koscielny
Injury: Hip/Thigh
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
Another injury-prone Gunners star, Koscielny picked up his third injury of the season early on in the 1-1 draw against Norwich. The centre-back has been one of Arsenal's most crucial players in recent years and his side conceded eight in two games without him in October.
8/10
Santi Cazorla
Injury: Knee
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
Though he soldiered through the Norwich match Arsene Wenger said afterwards that his deep-lying creator had "finished on one leg". With Francis Coquelin also absent the Gunners could be without the entirety of their first-choice midfield pair.
9/10
Alexis Sanchez
Injury: Hamstring
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
After playing 90 minutes of the comfortable 3-0 win Wenger confirmed Sanchez had a "hamstring alert". But he played him anyway against Norwich and after 60 minutes of bright play his star forward was forced off with an injury that could keep the striker out for at least three weeks.
10/10
Kieran Gibbs
Injury: Calf
Out since: November 2015
Due to return: TBC
The England international missed the 1-1 draw with Norwich and it later emerged he had suffered a problem after the midweek win over Dinamo Zagreb, taking Arsene Wenger's casualty list to 10.
However that hope seems to have faded now that Sanchez has been allowed to return home for a week. Arsenal had been expected to give their star forward a break during the busy festive period and that has now been confirmed by his national team manager.
Chile’s Jorge Sampaoli said: “We have contacted the medical team at Arsenal, who gave him a week of treatment in Chile.
“We have to see how [the injury] is to know how quickly he can recover, but we are aware of everything and we'll see if we can contribute to Alexis getting back on the pitch sooner.”
Manchester City travel to the Emirates on December 21 for what could potentially be a definitive encounter if Arsenal are to maintain a title challenge.
Wenger’s side currently sit two points behind City in third place with league games against Sunderland and Aston Villa to come ahead of the crucial clash.
ArticleAlexis Sanchez travelling to Chile with Man City clash approachingArsenalAlexis SanchezChileManchester CityJorge SampaoliArsenal star Alexis Sanchez heading back to Chile for recuperation ahead of Manchester City clashThierry Henry: Arsene Wenger shouldn't have asked Alexis Sanchez if he was fit to play for ArsenalPublishedImageMedium width4Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 06:34In doubt: Arsenal have let Sanchez return home to recover from his hamstring injuryOn
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