Arsene Wenger has warned Arsenal fans to expect a less effective Alexis Sanchez throughout the hectic Christmas period.
The Chilean has endeared himself to Gunners supporters for a series of energetic and match-winning performances following his £35m summer switch from Barcelona.
However, the 26-year-old is poised to endure the festive fixture pile-up in England's football calendar for the first time, having always enjoyed the luxury of a winter break in other countries.
Consequently, Wenger says that Sanchez - who has 14 goals this season - and other first-team players may "suffer physically" as a result of the rigorous demands.
"He benefited from the fact I didn't take him to Galatasaray," Wenger told reporters ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool. "He needed a little breather. It will have helped him.
"Players are used to a break over Christmas. The players from South America used to go home and in England they cannot do it.
"It's a shock for the system for everybody. Many of them suffer physically."
Arsenal have a total of four games between now and January 1.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic