About this time tomorrow I expect every Arsenal fan in the world, or those that are awake at least, to be crossing their fingers and toes in the hope that the Arsenal Player of the Year Alexis Sanchez comes through the Copa America final without picking up an injury or even a little knock.
Even assuming that he does though, we still know that Arsene Wenger will have to prepare the Gunners for the start of the season without him. I have read articles in the paper saying that the players involved in the tournament should be given a good three weeks holiday before joining up with their respective clubs but Wenger said before the end of the season that he would give the Chilean striker four weeks, probably because of the heavy season with Barcelona and then the World Cup finals before he signed for Arsenal.
So we are looking at having Alexis back with us at the start of August. That means he might arrive in time to see us take on Chelsea in the Community Shield but he will have missed the pre-season tour of Asia and the Emirates cup and will probably not be ready to play until the Liverpool game on August 24th, so how will we cope without him.
It could be a straight swap with Danny Welbeck, as the England striker is used to playing on that left flank and he does offer the tracking back and work rate that Alexis gives us and that could be important, especially against Chelsea.
But Wenger has a habit of playing midfielders like Ozil, Ramsey and Wilshere in the wide areas. How about the Ox? He is the player that, for me, took the example of Alexis’ game on more than any other Arsenal player. What do you think Gooners?