Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez ramps up recovery from injury as he works up a sweat during intense workout

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Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez is upping the intensity of his training routine in a bid to get back to full fitness.

The Chilean, who has been sidelined with an abdominal muscle problem, posted a photo during a heavy workout, showing him to be out of breath and sweating.

Sanchez missed Arsenal's opening-day thriller against Leicester last week, where the Gunners wrestled the game back to win 4-3 at the Emirates. 

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Alexis Sanchez is upping his recovery from an abdominal injury with a heavy workout session

The Arsenal talisman posted a video on his Instagram, showing him out of breath and sweating

Sanchez has been sidelined with a muscle injury and hasn't featured so far this season

And the Gunners will again be without their talisman when they make the trip to Stoke on Saturday evening.

The forward could return against Liverpool next week and appears to be putting in the hard yards behind the scenes to ensure that is the case.

The 28-year-old was named in the Chile national squad on Friday with a view to playing in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on August 31 — four days after the Liverpool clash.

Boss Arsene Wenger is willing to let the Chilean's contract run down and sell for free next year

Wenger feels Sanchez's contribution on the field will outweigh selling him during this window

Sanchez, who contributed 30 goals and 19 assists in all competitions last season, now looks set to stay at the Emirates — despite seeking a move away this summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed that the club would be willing to run down the contracts of Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sanchez and allow them to leave for free next summer.

Wenger is hoping a fruitful season from all three will warrant the financial repercussions the club will suffer for not selling them this summer.