Alexis Sanchez in line to start against West Brom as Arsene Wenger deems Arsenal star ‘ready’ for action

Alexis Sanchez is in line to return to Arsenal’s Premier League starting line-up for Monday’s visit of West Brom to the Emirates, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Sanchez was left out of the side for Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Chelsea due to a lack of match sharpness but played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-0 EFL Cup third round win over League One side Doncaster Rovers.

The 28-year-old, whose summer was disrupted by transfer bids from Manchester City, the Confederations Cup and an abdominal injury, was in impressive form at the Emirates, providing the assist for Theo Walcott with a gorgeous long ball to Theo Walcott midway through the first half.

Wenger kept Sanchez on as Arsenal struggled to get the second that would end the tie. Though the Chile forward could not provide that he still did enough to earn himself a starting spot on Monday for what would be just his second league start of the season.

“For me he needs competition, that’s why I left him on the pitch,” Wenger said.

“He should be ready [for West Brom].”

Sanchez will likely be restored to the left flank after Danny Welbeck was ruled out for up to a month with a groin injury. Mesut Ozil could also come into the side after missing the Stamford Bridge draw with an inflamed knee.

Ozil returned to training on Tuesday and is likely to displace Alex Iwobi despite the Nigerian’s encouraging display in the creditable draw away to the champions.