Alexis Sanchez is fatigued but I can't rest him, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is aware of Alexis Sanchez's fatigue problems and he is trying his level best to get the Chilean some rest before a barrage of league and FA Cup fixtures ahead of him.

Sanchez has not been in great form over the past couple of months, scoring only one goal in his last 11 games, in spite of having started the season on a roll. The former Barcelona man has accumulated 19 goals this season and is by far Arsenal's highest scorer in all competition, closely followed by Olivier Giroud, who is catching up with each game.

Sanchez cut a frustrated figure in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Monaco after being booked for diving in what was a contentious decision by the referee. A rejuvenated Sanchez would have found a way to carve the Monaco defence open and secure a way to facilitate Arsenal's journey into the quarter finals.

However, that was not to be as Wenger faces a difficult decision to rest the South American against Newcastle, especially with the Magpies struggling with a plethora of players out with suspension and fitness issues.

"He's a bit fatigued and in a position where he has scored less. He wants to force his game and then is more involved in physical battles. Maybe goalscoring is on his mind, so he wants to do too much and he wants to force his game," Wenger said.

"I'm tempted to give him a break at some stage. I have been for a long time. It's not that he won't let me, I will decide that. It's just that every game now is so important, you always have a hesitation to do it," he added.

The Gunners are currently third in the table and need to win at St James' Park at all cost if they have to keep the pressure on Manchester United and Liverpool for a top four spot.