2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Alexis Sanchez returns to training for Chile despite injury concerns

Wenger labelled the decision as “suicidal”

Gunners forward, Alexis Sanchez has returned to training for the Chilean national side despite ongoing injury concerns. Reports have revealed that the forward suffered a hamstring injury last week and was advised rest by the Arsenal medical team.

Although varying reports have not been able to confirm the extent of his injury, it seems that the Chilean returned to training with a heavily bandaged thigh. And now it is believed that the 27-year-old will be involved in some capacity in the game against Uruguay.

The Chilean has been in sensational form and has already scored 6 times in 11 appearances this season in the Premier League.

Having functioned as a central forward since the start of the season, Sanchez has seen a lot of playing time with club and country and his recent hamstring injury can be attributed to lack of rest/lack of recovery time.

Unhappy Arsene

The decision of the Arsenal forward has been an obvious source of displeasure for the Gunners coach. The Frenchman speaking to beIN Sports, was clearly in an irritable mood, when he was questioned about Sanchez.

Labelling the decision as “suicidal”, Wenger also stated, “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”.

Wenger has managed the Chilean for the past few seasons at Arsenal and the Frenchman is aware of how Sanchez is always willing to play. Arsene stated, “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”

Instead, he called for calmer heads and emphasized on the need for the club and national teams, medical representatives to find a balance between protecting the interests of the team as well as the player. When asked to elaborate, Wenger was of the view, “It’s a grey area between the national team and the club team and of course they look at their own results [medical], which I can understand, but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez.”

Chile currently lie outside the automatic qualification places in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.  In fact only days before his injury, Sanchez stated, “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”.