Of course everyone connected with Arsenal Football Club would prefer it if Alexis Sanchez was on the pitch when our important Premier League clash with Manchester United kicks off at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but not if it leads to a long spell on the injury list for such a crucial player.
The Chile international was already a hugely important and influential player for the Gunners but that has increased even further this season as he has taken to the new centre forward role like a duck to water and has spearheaded an excellent run which has kept Arsenal firmly among the leading pack of clubs chasing the EPL title.
As reported by Sky Sports today, however, Arsene Wenger is not willing to take a chance on the striker’s fitness and will get the club’s medical team to make sure that Alexis would not be risking injury by starting at Man United before he decides on his starting line up.
Sanchez has apparently already assured his manager that he is physically fine and ready to play but we do have previous on this sort of situation, with the Chilean declaring himself fit only for his overworked body to break down and leave Arsenal without him.
Wenger said, “He texted us that he’s in good shape. We have to wait and see tomorrow morning to see if he can be involved in the squad.
“What I will consider is the risk of injury because he played recovering from a hamstring injury. It depends a lot on the honesty of the player.”
Yhe Frenchman must also consider the fact that Arsenal have another massive game in midweek, when PSG come to London for the game that is likely to decide who tops our Champions League group, so should Arsenal avoid the chance of losing our star striker and save him for the European match instead?
Bob.