In a huge blow to league leaders Arsenal FC, star attacker Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of the clash at Anfield against Liverpool FC.
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Injury hit Liverpool FC were given a huge boost with Arsenal FC boss Arsene Wenger confirming the absence of their Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez in the upcoming Anfield clash.
Wenger confirms Sanchez absence
The Chilean has not played for Arsenal since he limped off with a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Norwich at the end of November. While he was close to returning against the Reds, Wenger has confirmed that Sanchez will not be risked for the tie. Speaking ahead of the Liverpool FC tie, Wenger was quoted as saying by Liverpool Echo:
a Liverpool will come too soon for Alexis Sanchez but he may be back for Stoke.
“If you listen to Alexis he’s always keen to play even when injured but we try to be cautious, but with a muscular injury you never know how big the risk is. But he’s very, very close.a
Wenger: “@D_Ospina1 will have tests. It is too soon for @Alexis_Sanchez , maybe he will be for Sunday.” Watch LIVE: https://t.co/fh4FyeG5tv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 11, 2016
Cazorla and Coquelin out; Ozil back
It was not all bad news for the Gunners, with Mesut Ozil set to return to the starting XI, having missed the FA Cup clash against Sunderland. However, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin will be out of the clash, with Mathieu Flamini set to partner Aaron Ramsey in the midfield.
Tomas Rosicky will also be back in training this week, which is fantastic news because he has been out for very long and it is good to know that a player of that calibre is back in our squad.
Ozil’s 16 assists and 3 goals have been central to the Gunners not missing Sanchez as much as they could have, and the Gunners faithful will hope that the German can have the same impact at Anfield. Having won two games in a row, the Gunners will be hoping to raise the count to three and remain at the top of the Premier League.