Wenger: Sanchez To Return vs Liverpool After Suffering Injury Set-Back

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez has suffered a minor injury setback that will keep him out of the Christmas and New Year period.

Sanchez had been nursing a hamstring injury that he suffered during the 1-1 draw at Norwich City three weeks ago but returned to full training last week after spending some time recuperating back in his native Chile.

The 26-year-old was expected to be back in the squad for Monday nights clash with Manchester City but his name was surprisingly left out when the team sheets were announced at the Emirates.

Speaking after a 2-1 victory, Wenger told Arsenal.com that Sanchez suffered a minor setback in training on Saturday and is now expected to be out of action until January 10th.

The boss told the clubs website:

on Alexis…
I think he will be back January 10. Christmas period – you can’t count him.

on if he has had a setback…
He had had a slight one yet but he planned to be on the bench tonight but he is so keen he got a little bit of a pain and we didn’t take a gamble.

on when Alexis had his setback…
Two days ago.

This news comes as a fresh injury blow to the Gunners as they’ll be without one of their key men for the hectic festive period, and Sanchez will now join the likes of Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin and Danny Welbeck on the sidelines.

If Sanchez is out until January 10 he will miss Arsenal’s next four games including the trip to Southampton on Boxing Day as well as the subsequent home games against Bournemouth, Newcastle and the FA Cup clash with Sunderland.

As long as he doesn’t suffer any further setbacks in his recovery, the Chilean international would then be set to make his comeback when we head to Anfield to take on Liverpool on the 13th.