Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has admitted that he feels annoyed when manager Arsene Wenger asks him to rest and conserve himself, rather than playing as hard as he can in every available minute of football.
Sanchez has been struck downwith a muscle tear in his calf, ahead of international side Chile's World Cup qualifying games, but the South Americans want to keep him available for the games and have downplayed the seriousness of the injury.
This is not the news Arsene Wenger wanted
Alexis Sanchez is facing up to six weeks out
More: https://t.co/DegXvvrTHG pic.twitter.com/elq9oDO0kh
The striker said toESPN Brazil:He [Wenger]tells me I must rest, but I don't like that.I don't want to rest, especially not during the matches.�
I want to be out there. If I don't play I get very angry and I come home from the match very sad, because I train so that I can play. I rest so that I can play. It is my job and I do everything I can to be fit and at 100 percent.�
Sanchez has been an integral member of the Arsenal first team since his move to London from Barcelona in 2014.
The potential loss of the Chilean for an extended period would heighten Arsenal fans'fears of dropping points at a crucial period in the Premier League title race, something Arsene Wenger's sides have had a tendency to do in recent campaigns.
If the muscle tear is indeed more serious than the Chile doctors have reported it to be, Sanchez might miss Arsenal's tester at Manchester United in the league on November 19.
Wenger: "It's a grey area between the national team and the club team but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez." pic.twitter.com/wrdK0BmbUq
Given that United boss Jose Mourinho enjoys a sparkling record over Arsene Wenger's side in England, the loss of their star striker could leave the Gunnersin a very worried state of mind ahead of the meeting.