Wenger warns Chile not to play Alexis Sanchez

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Wenger warns Chile not to play Alexis Sanchez

Arsene manager, Arsene Wenger, has said it will be a “suicidal decision” if Chile decides to play Alexis Sanchez on Tuesday against Colombia.

The 27-year-old forward, left training on Tuesday to undergo medical tests on a muscle strain.

He missed Thursday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Colombia, but is being evaluated ahead of their November 15 clash with Uruguay.


Wenger says there is no point risking Sanchez’s fitness.

“I got a text last night [to say] that he has a hamstring injury,” Wenger was quoted by the Daily Mirror as telling beIN Sports.

“The team from Chile has travelled without him and they kept him to try and get him fit to play Uruguay for the second game on Tuesday night.

“I believe that with a hamstring injury, we have to get access for our medical staff to the MRI scan to see what grade it is, how bad it is and make absolutely sure they don’t make any suicidal decision that could harm his future for two or three months.


“That is absolutely important. It’s a grey area between the national team and the club team and of course they look at their own results, which I can understand, but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez. He always wants to play and that’s where it is a more sensitive case because he’s always ready to play even when injured.”

Chile coach, Juan Antonio Pizzi, reiterated on Thursday that Sanchez’s injury was minor.

“There is no plan right now to send Alexis back to England,” Pizzi told El Mercurio.

“We think there is a chance he can play on Tuesday [vs. Uruguay].”