[Team News] Stoke City v Arsenal - Blow As Alexis Sanchez Still Unfit

In his pre-match press conference, Arsene Wenger has revealed that Alexis Sanchez will not be fit enough for Arsenal’s trip to Stoke City on Saturday evening (via Arsenal.com).

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Matchday: Team News – Player Ratings – Match Highlights
Match: Stoke City v Arsenal
Kick-Off (GMT): Sat 19 Aug 17:30
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After that hectic start to the Premier League campaign, Arsenal travel on Saturday to face Stoke City in the Premier League.

It’s been a difficult place to go for the Gunners in recent years and after a number of players missed the Leicester City match, Arsene Wenger gave the lowdown on his team’s fitness including Alexis Sanchez.

“The team news is that from last week I think Per Mertesacker will be available again,” Wenger revealed in his pre-match press conference before moving onto news about the Chilean.

“For Alexis Sanchez, it looks early but he works hard in training. Our medical people think Saturday comes too soon but he should be available for the next game against Liverpool.

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“His recovery is going very well, he’s working very hard but we have to be cautious, it was a muscular strain.”

It’s good that Alexis Sanchez isn’t too far away from a return. Many Arsenal fans were fearful that they would never see the Chilean play for the club again but he’s not the only player who missed the Leicester match.

“Mustafi and Coquelin will be in the squad,” Wenger continued.

It’s a relief to see that Alexis Sanchez is only a week away from playing. This Arsenal team is undoubtedly stronger with the Chilean in it but he’s not the only one missing. The Gunners may have won the match against Leicester City but they still conceded three goals thanks, in part, to a poor defensive performance. The return of Shkodran Mustafi, Per Mertesacker and Francis Coquelin could prove just as important as Alexis Sanchez’s comeback.