Arsene Wenger has admitted Alexis Sanchez returned to Arsenal duty before he was ready.
It now looks as if Sanchez’s determination to cut short his holiday after helping Chile to win the Copa America this summer has backfired.
Sanchez goes to Leicester this weekend having yet to score this season and even Wenger admits he could be suffering from a hangover.
When asked whether Sanchez had made a slow start, Gunners boss Wenger said: “I would agree with you because I think I played him very early before he was completely fit, physically.
“That is one explanation. the second is that every player who has won a big trophy with the national team takes some while to settle and come back to his best.
“These are the two main explanations for me. Physically he is not completely ready, coming out of a big achievement and that takes time.
“I think he has had 31 shots on goal since the start of the season and with his finishing qualities that should allow him five to six goals.
“Knowing that the finishing is a bit linked with your form and it is a bit cyclic as well, that is where he should be at the moment.
“That will come back, I don’t worry for Alexis Sanchez. Even when he doesn’t score he is still a major threat for everybody and I am confident he will score very soon.”
Wenger is almost certain to stick with Sanchez despite his lack of form and sharpness while Mathieu Flamini could keep his place with Francis Coquelin still out.
Alexis Sanchez's performance vs Chelsea
3 (0)
Shots (on target)
0
Tackles
0
Chances created
Whoscored
French midfielder Coquelin is likely to return to training on Saturday following his knee injury while Wenger said Jack Wilshere has undergone surgery and should be back by Christmas.
“Francis is improving well but not available for tomorrow, it is too short. He might start practice tomorrow,” said Wenger.
“It (Wilshere’s operation) was very successful and touch wood hopefully all goes well now. We hope he will be back by December, Christmas.”
Wenger also admitted he has been “surprised” by Anthony Martial’s start to his Manchester United career but says he has no regrets despite the player’s agent claiming Arsenal had dithered and missed out.
“It’s a surprise because sometimes it’s quite difficult at the start,” said Wenger. “To maintain that will be very difficult for him so he will have to have some understanding of that as well if he starts to score less.
“He has already set the expectation level very high. I’m not surprised that he’s done well because he’s a very talented player.
“He was more of a winger in his whole career. He played the final part of last season as a striker. Monaco’s statement was always that two players, Martial and Layvin Kurzawa, would not move. I thought they would maintain that but in the end both of them moved.”
Read more:Find out exactly what Wenger had to say ahead of Leicester clash