Arsenal news: Alexis Sanchez returns to Chile training despite Arsene Wenger's pleas

Wenger called for 'access' to his player but the forward, who is currently suffering from a hamstring injury, has returned to training for the Chilean national side.

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has returned to training for the Chilean national side, despite suffering a hamstring injury early last week.

Instead of returning to Arsenal for a medical assessment, as requested by Arsene Wenger, the 27-year-old is believed to be back in training and could play some role in Chile’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on Tuesday evening.

The forward was photographed with his right thigh heavily bandaged on Sunday as he undertook a light training session.

Wenger has expressed his dissatisfaction with Chile’s decision to risk Sanchez for the side’s clash with Uruguay, labelling it “suicidal”.

“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 told beIN Sports.

“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.”

With Chile currently outside the automatic qualification spots for the World Cup, the national set-up will be hopeful that their star player can feature in Tuesday’s crunch match.

Sanchez has been in fine form for Arsenal this season, scoring six times in 11 Premier League fixtures.

More games: friv

Alexis Sanchez to be face of Huawei in Chile

Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez has signed an agreement with the Chinese company Huawei to become the face of its campaigns in the South American country, media reported on Thursday.

"I am happy to sign and hope that it will go on for a long time," said the player for English Premier League side Arsenal.

The agreement establishes that Sanchez will have a promotional role for the Chinese networking and telecommunications equipment company, reported Xinhua.

The player said that he was familiar with the P8 cellphone producer as the Chinese company is also one of Arsenal's sponsors.

"In England it's the same, Arsenal is sponsored by Huawei and there have been positive comments," said the soccer star.

"This union represents the essence of our company with the values that we share with a great sportsman like Alexis," said the Chinese company.

Alexis Sanchez gifts Arsenal shirts to entire Chile Under-17 squad ahead of youth World Cup

The winger paid a surprise visit to the young Chile squad as they get ready to compete to become world champions at their age group

Alexis Sanchez confirmed that his name will forever be written in Chilean folklore when he netted the winning penalty in the Copa America final this summer.

The Arsenal man's cheeky paneka attempt confirmed Chile's first-ever win of the tournament in their home country - after 99 years of waiting.

After his spellbinding performances in the Premier League for the Gunners, Sanchez has fast become one of world football's top stars.

But true to his roots, Sanchez made sure he took time out of his busy and star-studded schedule to surprise Chile's Under-17 stars ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

The FIFA Under-17 World Cup takes part in Chile over the next month and the hosts were all gifted Arsenal shirts from Sanchez as they gathered.

Sanchez handed out the shirts during September's international break, before posing with the whole squad wearing their new shirts.

Chile will kick-off their campaign with a clash against Croatia on Sunday, while England open the tournament by facing off against Papau New Guinea.

Sanchez, meanwhile, is sweating on his fitness ahead of Arsenal's trip to Watford this weekend.

Sanchez played for Chile despite nursing a hip injury before reporting up and is due to arrive back for Arsenal on Thursday.

Wenger admits it is far from ideal but says he is caught up in the familiar club versus country row.

Gunners boss Wenger said: “I cannot do a lot about it. He came off as you have seen against Manchester United with a hip problem, a problem with the rotator muscle and he wanted to go.

“He played in the last two games and we have to see how he comes back but it is always a tricky situation Chile are trying to qualify for the World Cup and he is an important player for them but they will use him if they can.

“He is a guy that always wants to play so I knew that was always going to be a tricky situation.

Main man: Sanchez celebrates scoring for Chile during the international break

“Let's see what happens and how he comes back. He comes back at 2pm today and I don’t think there is a lot you can do because he played. We have to see if we have to protect him in our next game or not.

“He has a bit of a difficult start to the season because he came back late and you could see that but now he is back to his level and even better than before. His overall game and finishing, contributing and assists is excellent.

“He works hard for the team and he finishes. His enthusiasm is contagious. He always gives you hope that he is going to do something and he gets defenders always on the back foot, provokes and that is top class.”