Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez 'to be granted winter break'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 November 2016

Arsene Wenger will give Alexis Sanchez some time off in the coming weeks in an attempt to prevent the Chilean from burning out later in the campaign, a report claims.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is mulling over giving Alexis Sanchez a winter break to prevent the fatigued forward from burning out in the second half of the season.

The 27-year-old has already made more appearances than any other Gunners player this term, despite his regular voyages to South America to take part in Chile's World Cup qualifying programme.

Wenger started Sanchez in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford, a little over a week after the Frenchman warned his star player's national side not to risk him following a minor hamstring strain.

According to the Daily Mail, Wenger is desperate to prevent Sanchez's season from petering out and he will therefore give him extra time off in the next few weeks.

It is claimed that Arsenal have earmarked the week leading up to their FA Cup third-round tie in early January as a potential period of rest, while he could also be afforded some downtime in the next fortnight should the Gunners seal top spot in their Champions League group with victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

When asked about the reports in Tuesday's press conference, Wenger told the media: "If I have the possibility to get him a winter break I would like to do it. We had that with opportunity with Mesut Ozil. He got a break when Germany did not pick him for the national team."

Sanchez has not had a full summer's rest since 2013 due to the scheduling of the international football calendar.