Arsenal are locked in talks with the Chilean national team over the status of star forward Alexis Sanchez, with the Gunners said to be asking the South American side to release the 27-year-old back to his club after he picked up a calf injury in training.
Estimations of Sanchez' timetable for areturn to actionhave varied, with Arsenal's medical staff yet to evaluate the issue, but the Chileans are thought to be hopeful of him playing through the pain against Uruguay next week.
Arsenal want Sanchez to return to London after injury scare with Chile | @SamiMokbel81_DM https://t.co/anp6ULbDsC
TheMail, however, report that the north London club would prefer to be the ones to judge the injury for themselves - with hopes that a period of rest could allow their leading Premier League top scorer this season to face Manchester United next weekend.
The Chilean medical staff have moved quickly to calm fears that the injury is a serious one, describing it as a 'low grade' tear, but Arsenal's upcoming schedule is likely to see them play the situation ascautiously as possible.
Jose Mourinho's United are next up after the international break, followed by Paris Saint-Germain in midweek as Arsene Wenger looks to take his side through into the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
9 - Alexis Sanchez has been directly involved in nine goals in his last nine Premier League appearances (six goals, three assists). Vital. pic.twitter.com/QMWX1fQGZ7
An EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton follows before the end of the month, with back-to-back trips to Everton and marginal title favourites Manchester City on the calendar before Christmas as Wenger's side face a make-or-break period of a crucial season.
The Gunners currently sit just two points off Premier League leaders Liverpool and top their Champions League group on goal difference, having gone unbeaten since the opening day of the season.
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