Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SICK AS A DOG TO FIT AS A FLEA Sanchez turns up with a thumbs-up.. and could be ready to face Foxes
ALEXIS SANCHEZ is back in Arsenal training and could make a rapid return to action next week.
Star man Sanchez gave the Gunners a lift by making his comeback yesterday to end concerns about whether he would show up, amid doubts about his long-term future.
And he is now expected to be in consideration for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Leicester at the Emirates on Friday week.
By then Sanchez will have had just over a week of training.
But the Chile forward, 28, is renowned for recovering quickly and his desperation to play every game possible – qualities that will put him in line to try and give the Foxes a chasing.
Sunday’s Community Shield clash against champions Chelsea comes to soon even for Sanchez, something club insiders think will frustrate him.
Sanchez touched down in London yesterday morning before making his way to Arsenal’s London Colney base for a light session.
He was put through his paces by strength and conditioning coach Barry Solan before doing some ball work (right).
His fitness and recovery will be closely monitored in the next few days before a decision is made on when he should join in with the rest of his team-mates, whose pre-season preparations are considerably more advanced.
Sanchez’s month-long summer break did not begin until the start of July after he helped Chile reach the Confederations Cup final where they went down 1-0 to world champions Germany.
Boss Arsene Wenger revealed last week that Sanchez would be back in training on Sunday.
But the player responded the following day by posting a picture with his dog on social media, claiming he was sick and sparking fears of a no-show.
He was then given two extra days off by Wenger and allowed to return yesterday. Sanchez’s future is something of a mystery with his contract up next summer and talks deadlocked over a new deal. Manchester City and Paris Saint-germain want him and he has told friends of his desire to leave, but concedes the final decision rests with Arsenal. Wenger insists “he’s staying of course” and former Arsenal favourite Perry Groves told gambling site bwin: “If Alexis wants £350k a week, then give it to him. I’d keep both Sanchez and Mesut Ozil until January and see where the club is then. “If we’re challenging for the title, then risk keeping them. “You don’t need to worry about Alexis’ attitude on pitch, he doesn’t know any other way than to fight.”