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Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez to miss Premier League opener through injury
By Kieran Buggs
Alexis Sanchez is set to miss Arsenal’s season opener at home to Leicester through injury and may be out for up to two weeks.
Alexis Sanchez will miss the Arsenal’s opening match of the season at home to Leicester due to an injury. It could also see the forward miss the Gunner’s visit to Stoke in the following week.
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The Chilean international received extended leave, missing their pre-season tour of Australia and China due to International duty for Chile which the South American side finish as runners-up to World Cup holders Germany.
Alexis then missed his return date last week due to illness, meaning he watched from the stands as Arsenal proved victors over Chelsea on penalties in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Wenger stated in his first press conference of the new season that Alexis suffered an abdominal strain in training on Sunday before the Community Shield.
Alexis had a two days ago, according to Wenger, but the manager is unsure as to when the Chilean will be back:
"“He is out for a while, I don’t know is it two weeks, one more week. But he will not be available.”"
Several players are actually set to miss the Leicester match
This means that the 28-year-old could also miss Arsenal’s trip to Stoke the following week. Sanchez isn’t the only player set to miss Arsenal’s opening match, with Francis Coquelin (ankle ligament damage) and Gabriel (knee) are also set to miss out.
Per Mertesacker is also an unlikely figure, following a bad cut above his eye during the Community Shield, whilst Mesut Ozil, Shkodran Mustafi and Aaron Ramsey who all missed the match, are also thought to be doubts.
Laurent Koscielny will miss both the Leicester and Stoke fixtures as he is still serving his ban for the red card he received in Arsenal’s final game of last season against Everton.
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Although missing a significant number of key players, Arsenal proved on Sunday that it is possible to put in a good performance without them. Therefore, this will be a major chance for many of the players who have yet to receive regular Premier League football, to make their point for the foregoing season.