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?