Alexis Sanchez will return to the Arsenal squad on July 27th, meaning he will certainly miss some important games for the Gunners. We take a look at what he’ll miss and who might replace him.
Arsene Wenger all but confirmed Alexis would miss the start of the season if Chile reached the final, he said before the tournament: “That is not good news (for Arsenal) because they (Chile) finish very late and if they go very far, he will miss the start of the season.”
I’m sure Alexis will be desperate to return to training and starting for Arsenal – but he needs to rest. Arsenal will need his influence in the second half of the season and can’t afford a burnout.
Alexis starred for Chile in every Copa America game, and whilst he avoided injury – he played a lot of minutes after already playing an incredible amount for Arsenal last season. He is likely to need at least three weeks in full training before having a chance of starting any games. So here’s the games he could miss.
August 2 – vs. Chelsea (N) – Community Shield
August 9 – vs. West Ham (H) – Premier League
August 16 – vs. Crystal Palace (A) – Premier League
August 24 – vs. Liverpool (H) – Premier League
August 29 – vs. Newcastle (A) – Premier League
The three games in bold, Alexis will certainly miss. He could make his return at home to Liverpool – which would be a boost, but I still have a feeling Wenger might leave him out for the whole of August.
After that final game in August again Newcastle, there’s a two week international break so – barring any complications he should be fit and back to his best for Stoke. Thanks to finishing third rather than 4th, Arsenal’s Champions League campaign won’t start until the 15th or 16th of September – so he won’t miss out on that.
Who will replace him?
Wenger always likes to play with one natural wide player at least, so in Sanchez absence Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck or Theo Walcott could replace him. If we don’t sign a striker I think Walcott might play a lot as a striker next season, so I think Chamberlain and Welbeck could be our wingers in Alexis’ absence. I really feel this season could be big for Chamberlain so I hope he can push on with Alexis out.
Who do you think should replace Alexis while he’s away – will we cope without him? Comment with your thoughts below.