Arsene Wenger has warned that he can’t risk overusing Arsenal’s summer signing Alexis Sanchez, with the ex-Barcelona star already “in the red zone.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits that Arsenal can’t be too over reliant on Alexis Sanchez, with the former Barcelona star needing to be managed carefully over the busy Christmas period, reports the Express.
SEE MORE:
Football Manager 2015 – Top Free Agents In FM15, Ex-Arsenal, Manchester United, & Barcelona Stars Included
Arsenal Cazorla Exit: Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla eyes Emirates exit and La Liga return.
Guardiola Arsenal: Arsenal on alert after Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola stalls on new contract.
The summer signing has been a revelation since his Premier League switch, scoring 13 goals in all competitions and undoubtedly being the driving force behind the Gunners at times.
Despite not having his best game by a long shot against Southampton in midweek, Sanchez still popped up with that all important winning goal to secure all three points for his side.
But Wenger warned that he has to be careful with the Chilean international, as he has already played his played in most of Arsenal’s games this season and is in serious danger of burning out.
“He is in the red zone. You can see that when he plays but he can dig deep,” said Wenger.
“He played his 27th game on Wednesday since the start of the season, if you consider international games and travelling on top of that.
“Unfortunately you never know how far you can push it.
“We are not scientific enough to predict that completely but he has good recovery potential.
“He recovers very quickly.”
Arsenal have once again seen their season plagued and disrupted by injuries, and they can scarcely afford any more if they are to have any chance of a title push.
With Sanchez already proving so vital to the success of the team, he would no doubt be an especially big loss for the North London side.
The pacey forward is used to having a winter break in La Liga, so the heavy fixture list in the Premier League may well come as a shock to him. He seems to be the kind of player who relishes his time on the pitch however, and has showed no signs of slowing down just yet.