Alexis Sanchez Injury: Updates on Arsenal Star's Hamstring and Return

Rob GoldbergJan 29, 2015

Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez has recovered from a hamstring issue suffered on Jan. 30. After missing his second straight match on Feb. 7 vs. Tottenham, he will return Feb. 10 against Leicester City.

Continue for updates.

Sanchez Will Start vs. Leicester City

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Arsenal's official Twitter feed confirmed that Sanchez will start on Tuesday against Leicester City.

On Feb. 9, Arsene Wenger confirmed Sanchez would return, courtesy of Arsenal.

Sanchez Out vs. Spurs

Saturday, Feb. 7

Arsenal announced that Sanchez was out of Saturday's game against Spurs.

On Feb. 6, Arsene Wenger confirmed Sanchez wished to take part in preparations ahead of the Tottenham match, per Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World:

This suggested the Chilean could make an appearance against Spurs if he proved himself during the session. It was previously reported that Sanchez will miss the trip to White Hart Lane:

"
The latest is that Alexis is not ready. He is not far away, the Leicester game is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet! He is training but it's light training.
"

On Feb. 1, Arsenal confirmed Sanchez was unfit to play against Villa.

Alexis Suffers Hamstring Injury

Thursday, Jan. 29

Alexis Sanchez's first season with Arsenal has encountered a potential setback.

According to manager Arsene Wenger, the Chilean star has developed a hamstring problem and may miss the Sunday visit of Aston Villa, per Arsenal's official website: "The only uncertainty we have is Alexis Sanchez who has a hamstring concern, and that will be decided on Saturday. He might be out for Sunday."

Sanchez arrived at Arsenal as their major summer signing in the region of £35 million, according to David Ornstein of BBC Sport. His absence would instantly limit Wenger's attacking options, be it from the wing or the central striking role.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Last season, he totalled an impressive 19 goals and 10 assists with Barcelona and was a key part of Chile's run to the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup.

This term, Sanchez has already netted 18 times, per Soccerbase.

Such stats are particularly impressive given that Sanchez is always prepared to put in the hard yards. Wenger explained on the club's official website the multifaceted appeal of the forward's game:

"
He is a striker and he's a good finisher. He made a great impression in Italy—I saw him there and he was really outstanding. ... I like the fact he can play left, right, up front and that's why I went for him. At the moment I want to see him in both positions. But I took him because he is a player who has the qualities of Walcott, he goes behind the defenders off the ball. And with the quality of his runs he can be very important for us.
"

Unfortunately, the latest injury may hold Alexis back for now while the Arsenal medical staff determine the severity of the problem. If he is forced to miss an extended amount of time, it might be difficult for the club to replace him.

The good news is Arsenal have plenty of attacking options ready to step in, with Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and others able to fill the role as a creator and a scorer.

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