Arsenal FC boss Arsene Wenger has admitted that despite injuries to Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky, and Jack Wilshere, it might be too soon to play Alexis Sanchez against West Ham.
Following his Copa America exploits, where he guided Chile to the continental title, Sanchez returned to Arsenal FC on Wednesday after been given an extended holiday by the club.
Arsene Wenger confirmed yesterday that Jack Wilshere had suffered a hairline fracture to his lower left leg. To add to the problem, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck are out as well.
Wenger reckons it might be too early to play Sanchez
Wenger ruled out any suggestion that he might be tempted to play Sanchez with the injuries restricting his options.
He was quoted saying by the Telegraph: a I dona t think he will be involved on Sunday, it is a bit early maybe.”
Sanchez was a key players for the Gunners, as they comfortably finished in the top 4 with a third place finish. The Chile forward scored 16 goals in 34 starts and also made 8 assists on his way to being named the club’s player of the season following his transfer from FC Barcelona in the summer.
He was also voted as the PFA Fans’ Player of the Season with more than 200,000 votes being casted, beating Chelsea FC star Eden Hazard and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero in the process.
Arsenal injury record could derail title march .
Arsenal have not won the league since 2004, but are widely expected to at least challenge for the title
One look at the squad over the past few season, and you could say that they have always had the squad to win the league. And with Sanchez, Ozil signing adding onto the fact that their young players are now maturing, the Gunners probably have their strongest squad in years.
However, they have been undone by injuries in crucial stages of their title march and begin the season with Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck out injured.
A Telegraph report had confirmed that Arsenal had suffered more injuries than any other Premier League side.
The report said:
With 25 injuries, Arsenal have had more than any other Premier League club since August. Perhaps even more revealing, however, is the total number of days lost to significant injury. In the decade since 2004-5, Arsenal players have lost 13,161 days to injury. Only Newcastle have lost more at 13,344.
Arsene Wengera s training methods were questioned by Fitness coach Raymond Verheijen, who had blamed the Frenchman for the Arsenal injury record.
If they are to challenge Chelsea FC and Manchester City for the league, Wenger will need to call upon his best players in their best form. Keeping them injury free would be a good way of doing it.