Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger would have been left sweating after news that Alexis Sanchez had picked up an ankle injury on international duty with Chile.
Fortunately for the Gunners though, the problem isn’t said to be serious as they prepare to welcome back the players later this week ahead of a crunch clash with Bournemouth at the Emirates at the weekend.
As noted by freelance injury analyst Ben Dinnery in the tweet below, reports in Chile had suggested that the 28-year-old had sustained an ankle injury in training on Saturday. However, he adds that the knock isn’t thought to be too serious, and so Sanchez may well feature for his country this week before playing a part against the Cherries.
BioBioChile claim Alexis Sanchez sustained an ankle injury in training yesterday although the problem is not thought to be too serious. #AFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) September 3, 2017
With less than 12 months remaining on his contract, Sanchez was at the centre of a transfer saga on deadline day as question marks were raised over his long-term future at Arsenal.
Having remained in north London for the time being, Wenger will look to him to be as influential as he was last season when he scored 30 goals and provided 19 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions, as he told the media this week that he doesn’t expect his star man’s attitude to dip.
Time will tell if that’s the case, but the first thing that Arsenal need to be sure of is that the ankle injury isn’t going to be a problem ahead of Chile’s clash with Bolivia this week, as they won’t want to see Sanchez aggravate any knock before he flies back to England.