Arsenal News: Alexis Sanchez set for showdown talks as Chile manager arrives in Europe

ARSENAL star Alexis Sanchez will hold ‘clear the air’ talks with Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi after a disastrous international break put their World Cup qualifying hopes in doubt.

Arsenal news Alexis SanchezGETTY

Arsenal and Chile star Alexis Sanchez endured a poor international break

Sanchez was visibly frustrated with Chile’s below-par performances during their World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.

They lost 3-0 to Paraguay and 1-0 to minnows Bolivia.

Mood in the camp is said to have hit rock bottom, with Arturo Vidal threatening to quit the national side over their recent slump.

A number of players have complained about Pizzi and the manager has flown to Europe to sort out the problems.

Chilean newspaper El Mercurio claim the boss will speak to Sanchez and Bayer Leverkusen’s Charles Aranguiz during his trip.

Chile manager Juan Antonio PizziGETTY

Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi has overseen a difficult World Cup qualifying campaign

The purpose of the talks is to work out how the squad can pull together for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Brazil next month, El Mercurio claim.

Chile currently sit sixth in the South American qualification table for the 2018 World Cup.

Only the top four nations are guaranteed progression, with the fifth-placed team entering a playoff.

Argentina sit fifth and are also enduring a mini crisis as they seek to muscle in on the top four of Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Peru.

Chile manager Juan Antonio PizziGETTY

Juan Antonio Pizzi's Chile sit sixth in South America's World Cup qualifying league

Wenger confident of Sanchez commitment this season

As for Sanchez, the Arsenal player has cut a frustrated figure in recent days following the collapse of his transfer to Manchester City on deadline day.

The 28-year-old is yet to score for Arsenal this season and came on for the final 15 minutes in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

He is tipped for start for the Gunners when they host Cologne in the Europa League tomorrow night (8.05pm).

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