Alexis Sanchez is set to return to training next week just days ahead of Arsenal’s crucial clash against Manchester City at the Emirates.
The Chilean forward pulled up with a hamstring injury during last month’s 1-1 draw away to Norwich.
He has since been spending time rehabilitating in Chile and is due to return next week, though Arsene Wenger and the club’s medical staff will wait until he is back at London Colney before deciding when to reintroduce him to the side.
Though Arsenal’s fixture against Manchester City, who they currently lead by one point in the table ahead of their trip to Villa Park on Sunday, Wenger faces a gruelling fixture list over the festive period and January.
Arsenal face trips to Southampton, Liverpool and Stoke as well as a home game against Chelsea on the 24 January in what could be a critical six weeks for their title hopes.
Sanchez’s injury has not derailed Arsenal’s form as had been feared, with the remainder of Wenger’s injury hit side rallying well to claim victories over Sunderland and Olympiakos to keep alive their domestic and European hopes.
Every injured Arsenal player
Joel Campbell in particular has raised his game in the absence of Arsenal’s leading attacker, scoring in the league before impressing in the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Wenger praised the Costa Rican forward for taking his opportunity after spending much of the early season on the peripheries of the squad.
“Joel Campbell is a very good player who has individual skill but what I also like is that he is a real team player who fights for the team…
“He came from Costa Rica at a very young age, went to four different clubs on loan and that made him tough. Now he gets his chance and he is getting stronger in every game.”
