Arsenal: Jose Mourinho backing strengthens Alexis Sanchez management

Jose Mourinho has stated that players returning from injury need to be eased back in. His backing of Arsene Wenger’s dropping of Alexis Sanchez strengthens the management of the Arsenal star.

Recovering from injuries takes time, as many Arsenal fans well know. Often, it is the case that the most frustrating aspect of returning is the re-discovering of full fitness and match sharpness. Being fit enough to take to take to the pitch without having the ability to play with the same intensity, as usual, is maddening and enraging; you feel so close to your best but never quite there, all because of something beyond your control.

That is where Alexis Sanchez currently finds himself. After an abdominal strain caused him to miss all the summer preparations and the first two games of the season, Arsene Wenger has, for the most part, eased him back into action, only starting him in one Premier League fixture so far, the dreaded away trip to Liverpool.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

It is a decision that has angered many fans, with them calling for Arsenal’s undoubted best attacker of last season to start as many games of significance as possible. But Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho offered some support for his fellow manager. When asked about his dealing of Luke Shaw, who himself is returning from an extended layoff due to injury, Mourinho brought up the example of Wenger and Antonio Conte with Sanchez and Eden Hazard to show that it is normal to be slow and cautious with players returning from injury:

"“You have other players in the Premier League who are not starting matches and their managers just say they’re not in the best conditions. We’re speaking about some of the best players in the league. I heard last week the Chelsea manager [Antono Conte] saying that. The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] said that. The players are not in their ideas, they’re not in the best form after important injuries. Luke had surgery and a long time without playing. I cannot expect him to be back and strong, strong, strong in his work.”"

The support of the Portuguese manager certainly strengthens Wenger’s decision. Although it was exasperating to see Sanchez sit on the bench for the Chelsea game last weekend, Conte made the same decision with Hazard, both of which were introduced in the second half to try and change the game.

And while it was equally confusing to see Sanchez then play the full 90 minutes against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, the lesser intensity and competitiveness of the fixture, as Wenger explained after the match, meant that Sanchez could be offered playing time to regain his sharpness gradually.

Moreover, given that Arsenal do not play until Monday night, where they host West Bromwich Albion, a disciplined and awkward Tony Pulis side, even though he played in midweek, Sanchez can still be given a decent break in between consecutive matches.

Next: Arsenal Vs West Brom: Predicted starting XI

Ultimately, the season is long and demanding; maintaining the freshness of the squad is a key to sustained success across the year. That is a large reason as to why Chelsea, who had no European commitments, were so relentlessly dominant last season. Having Sanchez fit and firing for the whole season is far more important than having him feature in the odd game here and there. That is why Wenger is bringing him along slowly, and while frustrating, that is why it is the right decision.

Home/Arsenal News