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

Hot Football Transfer Gossip: Bayern ‘tracking Dier, Juve ‘target Alexis’, Man Utd ‘in Pogba talks’

It was quite a good season for Tottenham and Arsenal last year, apart from the fact that they both thought they would win the league because all they had to do was finish above Leicester and then they didn’t, but the north London duo may find it even harder to overtake the Foxes next season if Sunday’s Hot Football Transfer Gossip is to be believed.

Both clubs could lose key players to bigger, better teams, with Bayern Munich reportedly monitoring Eric Dier and Juventus keen on Alexis Sanchez.

After being impressed by Dier’s displays at Euro 2016, the Sunday People says Bayern are doing “background checks” on the England midfielder, during which they will probably uncover the fact that he is actually Portuguese and then his composure on the ball will start to make sense. Hopefully they don’t uncover anything dodgy though, like that he collects Barbie dolls or voted Leave.

Meanwhile, the Sunday Express says Gunners forward Sanchez is Juve’s “number one target” to replace Alvaro Morata. The Italians only received £23m for the Spanish striker and Alexis would probably cost double that, but the Turin club will have no shortage of funds if they flog Paul Pogba.

Manchester United are once again linked with the enigmatic Frenchman today, with the Sunday Telegraph stating that Jose Mourinho is “in talks” to sign the midfielder, but that the Red Devils would have to pay a world record fee of up to €135m, which at post-Brexit exchange rates will probably be something like £250m.

It’s a busy weekend for Mourinho, with the Observer reporting that United are also “closing in” on deals for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

The club are reportedly confident that Dortmund will accept their offer of £30m for the Armenian playmaker, while Zlatan doesn’t have much else going on anymore, following Sweden’s feeble exit from the Euros.

The Daily Star Sunday says that Mourinho has also made a £30m bid for Wolfsburg’s German international midfielder Julian Draxler, although he’ll probably only sign him if for some reason the Mkhitaryan transfer doesn’t go through, and if for some reason Draxler actually wants to come.

All these incomings could be bad news for Morgan Schneiderlin, who the Sunday Mirror says could be allowed to leave Old Trafford to join Everton. New Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is ready to pay £20m for the midfielder he sold to United last year for £25m. Would that mean he’d be buying him back at a profit or a loss?

West Ham’s pursuit of Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette is looking distinctly less promising based on the Sunday Mirror’s claim that Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are now interested in the Frenchman too. Or maybe it was Lacazette’s agent who told them that.

Elsewhere, Tottenham could face competition from Paris Saint-German for Dutch striker Vincent Janssen (L'Equipe), Stoke will complete the £16m signing of Saido Berahino this week (People) and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is set to make a £10m bid for Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie (Sun on Sunday). Ah, now it all makes sense - Benitez doesn’t actually realise that the Magpies have been relegated to the Championship!

Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil demand big summer signings before discussing new contracts

MESUT OZIL and Alexis Sanchez have put talks over a new contract on hold until the end of the season following their dramatic slump in form.

The attacking duo are Arsenal's two most expensive signings and remain crucial to the club's ambitions.

With two years left on their contracts respectively, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger had been hopeful of securing their long-term futures.

But according to The Times, talks have failed to progress and have apparently been shelved until the summer.

It is claimed Ozil and Sanchez want around £160,000-a-week in wages and need convincing the Arsenal squad will be strengthened by signings in the summer.

The likes of Granit Xhaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Leicester youngster Ben Chilwell have all been linked with a move to the Emirates.

Ozil and Sanchez are also said to want reassurances that Arsenal will fight for the Premier League and Champions League next season.

After being top of the league in January, Arsenal have slipped to fourth in the league, just four points above Manchester United.

And they now face a battle to salvage their season by qualifying for next season's Champions League.

Arsenal hand trial to new ‘Alexis Sanchez’

ARSENAL have given a trial to Chilean teenager Marcelo Allende, who has been dubbed the new Alexis Sanchez.

Allende is regarded as one of Chile’s hottest prospects and is captain of the under-17’s side.

The Daily Mail say the 16-year-old spent two weeks with the Gunners after being given permission by his club Sports Santa Cruz.

Allende has drawn comparisons with Sanchez having been a product of Cobreloa’s youth ranks, which is the club where 27-year-old began his career.

Last month, Allende agent admitted he wanted talks with Arsenal.

He said: “I have a relationship with many European clubs including Arsenal and, another club, so if tomorrow there are options, we’ll talk.

“Arsenal is a great training club and we would be interested in working with them if they give us the possibility to.”

Olympiakos beware! Arsene Wenger reveals secret weapon

With Alexis Sanchez and Santi Cazorla out for the Arsenal’s biggest game of the season, Arsene Wenger will need to think outside the box.

But this is ridiculous!

Bored out of his mind during the pre-match press conference in Athens, he doodled what many believe to be a spaceship.

Wenger has always been known for bringing new and innovative ideas to the English game.

And leaving the planet if Arsenal fail to qualify from their Champions League group might just be his best yet.

Alexis Sanchez better than last season - Wenger

The French boss claims the former Barcelona forward's enthusiasm is 'contagious' and has hailed the Chilean's all-round contribution following his return to full fitness

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has taken the time to praise Alexis Sanchez and believes the Chile international is even better than in his first season at the club.

The 26-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona in July 2014 and netted 25 goals in all competitions last term.

Sanchez endured a slow start to this season but has since scored five times in his last two Premier League outings and Wenger has hailed his sublime form.

"He has had a bit of a difficult start because he came back late [from the Copa America] and you could see that," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

"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 always gets defenders on the back foot, provokes and that is top class."