When the Arsenal and Chile international forward Alexis Sanchez limped off the pitch towards the end of our away game against Norwich City at the end of November, it was clear that it was not an injury that would allow him back just a week or two later, but at the same time it was not expected to keep him out of action for two months.
It probably did not need to either, as Arsene Wenger admitted weeks ago that Alexis was saying that he was ready. He was back in training as well but the Arsenal boss was extra cautious about bringing him back, clearly worried that the hamstring could go again and we could lose him again.
However, the length of time on the sidelines does not seem to have been good for the striker’s fitness levels and match sharpness. He was good on his first start back in the FA cup win over Burnley but in the two Premier League games since then the Chilean has not been his usual dynamic self.
Sanchez looked disappointed at being replaced with 10 minutes to go at Bournemouth but to be honest he looked spent and he had not even done that much during the match. He was not tracking back as usual, making no tackles, no interceptions, no clearances and no blocks in his 80 minutes.
So has Wenger got it wrong by keeping Alexis on the sidelines? Just when we need Alexis at his brilliant best we seem to have him at about 80 percent. It could be that this is just a normal process on the comeback trail and we could well see the old Alexis back after this week between games. What do you think Gooners?
I’m hoping that Alexis recaptures his best form against Leicester city and scores a goal or two!
Unnecessary headline tbh. Sometimes Wenger gets grief whatever he does.
IMO not rushing Sanchez back was the right thing. Given the choice, it seems he would probably play, fully fit or otherwise, so giving him enforced rest was worthwhile, especially given the international travel he has to do with chile and the risk of losing him again this season. He will be back to his best very soon, I have no doubt.
No it’s all good.
Arsenal 3 Leicester 0
That would be a miracle. A nail-biting 3-2 win with Leicester denied a clear penalty in the 90+5 minute more like ?
AFC 2 : LCFC 1
Alexis has to be protected from himself, he is so enthusiastic he will play when he should not. Caution from Wenger in his come back is understandable. If there is any criticism of Wenger it is for playing him when he had a “twinge” and then suffered the injury.
and that sounded like another click bait Article
Dr BoB…..never ceases to annoy me!
___________Alexis
_______Arteta Ozil Ramsey
———-Coquelin El-Nenny
Monreal Koscielny Gabriel Bellerin
___________Cech
I would like to see us control the middle of the pack against Leicester. Send Alexis on a one-man riot mission. We need to be tight and disciplined!
“Arteta-ozil-ramsey”
beautiful nonsense!
Explain why!
@Twig
Arteta, really? Seriously, Arteta?
Arteta should only play after Coq, El-Nenny, Chambers, and Flamini (in that order) are injured. Arteta is a flat tire, accident waiting to happen. Appreciate his service, no point embarrassing the guy when his time is up.
Well said Durand.
Arteta has gone past his best and it would be mean if we played him out of position and think that Arsenal fans wont moan about it.
I never thought Arteta was good enough for Arsenal but I dont want to see him trashed after years of hard work, I appreciate him giving his all and hope he can be remembered in a good way and not as the flat tire… more he is played though then the more of a flat tire we will remember.
I think Wenger did the right thing, we got Alexis playing now and he hasn’t gone off injured on his comeback…
People moan when Wenger rushes players back and they get injured again, Wenger takes his time with his star man and people moan that he hasn’t played…
You can’t have it both ways.