Alexis Sanchez has been ruled out of Arsenal’s 2017/18 curtain raiser with Leicester City after he suffered an abdominal strain in training.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told the assembled media ahead of his side’s Premier League opener that Sanchez would not be fit enough for the home clash against the Foxes.
The Frenchman stated that he was unsure as to how long Sanchez would be sidelined for, though it is expected the Chile international will sit out at least two league encounters before he returns.
Wenger confirmed: “He had a little abdominal strain that he caught on Sunday morning in training, before he came to Wembley,” explained Arsene Wenger.
“He had a scan two days ago and he’s out for a while – we don’t know if it is two weeks or one more week, but he will not be available. We think he will not play at Stoke.”
Sanchez has been reportedly linked with a move away from the Emirates during the summer transfer window, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City potential suitors.
Wenger insists PSG have made no approach for Sanchez and that he has held no talks with the French club’s chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
It’s a long time since I spoke with Nasser because he was certainly very busy to complete the transfer of Neymar,” Wenger said.
“It’s a long time since I spoke to him.”
Asked if Paris Saint-Germain had made an approach for Sanchez, Wenger replied: “No. I think, if you read the French papers, [Kylian] Mbappe is how they will look to finish their transfer market.