Arsene Wenger is ready to throw Alexis Sanchez in at the deep end and start the Chilean against Liverpool on Sunday.
The 28-year-old, who has been strongly linked with a summer departure, took part in the Confederations Cup earlier in the summer and was subsequently given an extended holiday break.
Illness prevented Sanchez from taking part in the Emirates Cup and the playmaker sustained an injury upon his return to the English capital.
Having missed Arsenal’s first two games of the season, Sanchez is set to mark his return at Anfield this weekend and The Times say Wenger is leaning towards starting his star man.
When asked about the chances of Sanchez returning against Jurgen Klopp’s side, Wenger said: ‘He has worked very hard to be back again and is available again.
‘He works very hard in training. He gives everything. It’s always difficult to stop him. He looks ready.
‘He has not played for a long time so I will have to decide what I do with him abut he is ready to play.’
Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed on Thursday that the club’s pursuit of Monaco and France midfielder Thomas Lemar was ‘dead’.
‘It’s dead,’ said Wenger. ‘Monaco have closed the door definitely because there are ongoing cases with Mbappe and Fabinho.
‘They lost Mendy, Silva and Bakayoko so Monaco are at the stage where they have closed the door. We have the numbers and quality to deal with that.’
MORE : Jurgen Klopp explains why he fears returning Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez
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