Alexis Sanchez is closing in on making his Arsenal first team return (Picture: Getty)

Arsene Wenger has hinted Alexis Sanchez is likely to make his Arsenal comeback against Liverpool next weekend.

The Chile international has only just returned to full training having been given an extended summer breaking following his exploits at the Confederations Cup.

Sanchez’s return to first team action was delayed by a bout of the flu, before he picked up an abdominal strain ahead of last Friday’s dramatic 4-3 opening day win over Leicester City.

The 28-year-old was again missing from Arsenal’s line-up against Stoke City on Saturday but Wenger hinted his star forward is closing in a return to action.

Aaron Ramsey returns to Arsenal’s starting line-up against Stoke City (Picture: Getty)

He told BT Sport: ‘He is back in full training and had a hard session today. He is in a good way.’

Wenger did make two changes to the team which edged past Leicester in a seven-goal thriller thanks to Olivier Giroud’s late headed winner.

Shkodran Mustafi returned to the heart of Arsenal’s defence at the expense of Rob Holding, while Aaron Ramsey, a goalscoring substitute against the Foxes, replaces Mohamed Elneny in the Gunners’ engine room.

MORE : Manchester United should make £50million bid for Arsenal contract rebel Alexis Sanchez, claims Paul Merson