Alexis Sanchez could be in action for Arsenal this weekend, despite him only being due to report back for pre-season on Sunday.
The Gunners take on Sevilla in the Emirates Cup and Arsene Wenger suggests the Chilean could be used off the bench.
His participation would be a significant statement from the Gunners amid uncertainty over the forward’s future.
With his contract due to expire next summer the forward has been persistently linked with a move away from the Emirates. Sanchez himself has said he wants to play for a club in the Champions League, which Arsenal won’t be during the upcoming season.
Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain have all been linked with the 29-year-old who is currently on holiday.
However Wenger has consistently said Sanchez will not be sold this summer.
If he were to play on Sunday it would confirm Wenger’s plans for the 2017/18 season include the club’s top scorer from last term.
‘Alexis and [Shkodran] Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday,’ explained Wenger after the pair were given extended breaks due to their participation in the Confederations Cup.
‘They are practising on the day. First of all you make a really good check-up of where they are, how much they have worked during their break.
‘After, once you know where you stand, they need an adjusted programme and to see how quickly you can fit them in again.’
Wenger then went on to suggest that Sanchez’s role as a striker could make him an option for the match against Sevilla.
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