Arsene Wenger delivers update on Alexis Sanchez injury ahead of Man United v Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has revealed his concern about Alexis Sanchez’s fitness levels after the Arsenal forward picked up a muscle injury while on international duty with Chile.

The 27-year-old attacker picked up the problem in training this week and the injury ruled him out of Chile’s clash with Colombia on Thursday night.

It remains to be seen whether Sanchez will be declared fit enough to feature for his national side when they take on Uruguay on Tuesday.

However, Wenger has admitted his concern about the situation and is worried that Sanchez could make the problem much worse if he plays while not 100 per cent fit.

Speaking in an interview with beIN Sports, Wenger said: “I got a text last night (to say) that he has a hamstring injury. 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.”

Wenger will be particularly concerned about Sanchez’s fitness levels as he knows that his Arsenal side return to Premier League action with a crunch clash against Manchester United after the international break.

Sanchez has been a key part of the Arsenal side this season and has scored eight goals in all competitions, making five assists for his team-mates.

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Arsenal head into their clash against Manchester United in fourth place in the table and two points behind leaders Liverpool.