Harry Redknapp sends blunt advice to Arsenal boss about Alexis Sanchez

Harry Redknapp has told Arsene Wenger that he should be playing Alexis Sanchez if the Arsenal forward is feeling fit.

There has been much debate about Sanchez’s fitness levels in recent weeks after he suffered a suspected hamstring strain while on international duty with Chile earlier this month.

Despite the concern, Sanchez has started both Arsenal’s last two games – against Manchester United and PSG in the Champions League in midweek.

And former Tottenham manager Redknapp feels that Wenger should look to try and play Sanchez wherever possible unless the player himself is not feeling up to it.

Writing in his column for The London Evening Standard, Redknapp said: “All this talk about resting Alexis Sanchez needs to stop: if he wants to play and he feels good, then you play him.

“As a manager, you want to hear players saying they are up for it all the time. Players often get stick for shirking responsibility or crying off when they don’t feel 100 per cent and here we are debating whether Sanchez needs a rest when he says he doesn’t feel tired.

“Some players are old school — they just want to play. I remember Frank Lampard being like that with me at West Ham and then for years at Chelsea.

“Sanchez is so important to the way Arsenal play now — especially now that he is playing the centre-forward role — so Arsene Wenger probably feels it is more of a risk to rest him than to play him all the time.

“The best way to manage Sanchez and a player like him is to start him and when you are 2-0 or 3-0 up, take him off. That way you use him regularly but keep him fresh.”

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Sanchez will be hoping to feature for Arsenal when the Gunners return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon with a home clash against Bournemouth.

Wenger’s men have drawn their last three games in all competitions and will be keen to return to winning ways and get their title bid back on track.