SANCHEZ UP FOR IT
He’ll be back for second game
ARSENE WENGER reckons that super-fit Alexis Sanchez could be raring to go for Arsenal by the second game of the season.
The red-hot Chile striker was expected to be rested until September after leading his country to Copa America glory this summer.
But Wenger revealed he is ready to speed up Sanchez’s return, despite him missing Arsenal’s pre-season trip to Singapore as he recovers from his tough schedule.
“Alexis will be back on August 3,” said Wenger. “Usually it takes three weeks to be competitive. With Alexis it could be a bit less. He will miss certainly the first game.
“He is an important player for us and he showed he has the winning mentality when he took on the responsibility to take the last penalty in the Copa America Final against Argentina.”
Danny Welbeck is also back in England recovering from an injury that kept him out of the FA Cup Final.
He is on course to be fit for the Community Shield clash with Chelsea at Wembley on August 2.
Wenger added: “Welbeck’s injury was at the start very minor. It’s bone bruising, but it took much longer to settle than we expected.
“I expect him to play a part in the Emirates Cup at the end of the month. I also expect him to develop as a central striker and a wide player.
“He played mostly wide last season, but if he adds goals as well he can be very effective as a central striker.”
Wenger again insisted German ace Mesut Ozil is happy at the club and will not be leaving this summer.
But Carl Jenkinson is going out on another season-long loan to West Ham despite signing a new five-year deal at the Emirates.