Arsenal Alexis Sanchez will miss Chile’s trip to Colombia today, according to local reports.
After the player left the training session due to a muscle pain, it’s now confirmed that he has an injury which will keep him out of the next game.
According to La Tercera, the player has a discomfort in the ‘femoral triceps’ of the right leg, which was described as a ‘strong contracture’.
Sanchez is now set to stay in Chile to make his recovery. The doctors were initially afraid it could be a muscle tear, and now the hope is it’s ‘just’ a calf strain, so they want to keep him close and avoid the injury getting worse.
Although it’s not mentioned in the article, La Tercera’s Twitter account claims that the player could still feature in the game against Uruguay, which will be played on Tuesday night. That would be the biggest reason why he’ll be rested during the match against Colombia, and is probably quite hopeful.
The next couple of matches are very important for Chile, as they’re currently in fifth place of the South American qualifiers. Only four get a straight spot to the World Cup, and their current position would put them in a playoff stage.
That’s not Arsene Wenger’s worry and he’ll probably be keen for the player not to appear in either match, and perhaps even travel back to Arsenal to be wrapped in cotton wool.
“The Medical Staff of the Chilean National Team reports that player Alexis Sánchez has a low grade muscular injury”
“The athlete will remain in Santiago, under treatment and in evaluation for the meeting of Chile against Uruguay”.
El Mercurio are reporting are reporting that, despite his injury, Sanchez had wanted to travel anyway to support his teammates.