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“It hurts but I’m fine” – Arsenal star offers positive injury update

By mac14 on November 9, 2016

Arsenal look to have been handed a huge injury boost after Alexis Sanchez played down reports that he’s facing 6 weeks out with an ankle injury after insisting he’s ‘fine’.

Sanchez was ruled out of Chile’s World Cup qualifier with Colombia on Thursday night after suffering what was initially described as a low grade muscle tear in training on Tuesday.

Obviously Arsenal fans were left sweating over how serious the injury was and it looked as though we’d suffered a huge blow with reports this morning claiming that scans had shown a significant tear in Sanchez’s quad.

The report suggested that Alexis was facing up to six weeks on the sidelines which would have seen him miss at least seven games against Man Utd, PSG, Bournemouth, Southampton, West Ham, Stoke and Everton while he’d also be a doubt to face Man City next month.

However, it appears those reports were inaccurate as Sanchez has now been quoted as saying in the Mirror that he’s ‘fine’ and should be fit for Chile’s clash with Uruguay next Tuesday.

Alexis is quoted by the Mirror as saying to Chilean newspaper El Mercurio:

“It is hurting a bit but I’m fine. I’ll be back for Tuesday.”

There was then further good news as the Chile manager also confirmed that Sanchez’s injury is only minor and he could be back playing again next week. Juan Antonio Pizzi is quoted as saying by the Express:

“We expected to count on Alexis Sanchez, but he suffered a small injury yesterday and cannot be considered for tomorrow.

“Alexis Sanchez’s injury is minor. Lets hope he can be fit to play against Uruguay.

“The decision (to leave Alexis in Santiago) altogether was endorsed by the doctor, who suggested that the trip was going to be worse for him.

“Sanchez has the possibilities to play on Tuesday against Uruguay.”

Obviously this comes as a huge relief, however, we all know Sanchez hates to miss any games and always rushes back from injury too soon so we better all pray that he doesn’t aggravate the injury even further by pushing himself to play for Chile next week.

Even a minor muscle injury should take at least 2 weeks to fully heal so it’s still a big risk if Alexis declares himself available for his national team just 1 week after picking up the injury.

If he does play for Chile next week, Sanchez wouldn’t arrive back in north London until Thursday and we face Man Utd in the early [12.30pm] Saturday kick off so it will be a big ask for the attacker to start at Old Trafford.

I’m sure Wenger will be cautious with Alexis, particularly given this injury scare, so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Olivier Giroud leading the line against United in 10 days time.