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Alexis Sanchez injured for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Leicester as Arsene Wenger reveals star player has picked up abdominal strain

ALEXIS SANCHEZ is injured and out of Arsenal's opening Premier League game against Leicester and is a doubt for their trip to Stoke a week later.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted the wantaway forward has picked up an abdominal strain and won't be able to play on Friday night.

 Alexis Sanchez was on the sidelines during Arsenal's Community Shield clash against Chelsea
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Alexis Sanchez was on the sidelines during Arsenal's Community Shield clash against ChelseaCredit: Rex Features
 Alexis Sanchez walked out on the pitch at Wembley ahead of Arsenal's Community Shield clash
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Alexis Sanchez walked out on the pitch at Wembley ahead of Arsenal's Community Shield clashCredit: Rex Features

Sanchez was in the stands for Arsenal's Community Shield shootout win over Chelsea on Sunday, having returned to London Colney to catch up on training.

He has also had an extended period of time off following Chile's Confederations Cup campaign over the summer.

Wenger was speaking to the media in the first pre-match Premier League press conference of the season.

The Frenchman said: "Sanchez had an abdominal strain he caught on Sunday morning before he came to Wembley.

"He had a scan two days ago and is out for a while. One or two weeks.

"Always for us Alexis Sanchez is a loss."

 Arsene Wenger will be without Alexis Sanchez for the opening two Premier League games against Leicester and Stoke
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Arsene Wenger will be without Alexis Sanchez for the opening two Premier League games against Leicester and StokeCredit: Rex Features
 Arsene Wenger talks to the Arsenal players ahead of their penalty shootout against Chelsea
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Arsene Wenger talks to the Arsenal players ahead of their penalty shootout against ChelseaCredit: Rex Features

However, speculation has been rife Sanchez, 28, will leave the Emirates this summer, even though Wenger has told the player he will have to see out the remaining 12 months of his contract.

According to reports Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the two clubs in the frame to sign Sanchez, should he leave North London.

Although Dani Alves has reportedly been engineering a reunion with Sanchez after former Barcelona team-mate Neymar joined the Ligue 1 club for a staggering £198million.



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