Arsenal: Arsene Wenger planning a mid-season break for Alexis Sanchez amid burnout fears

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to hand Alexis Sanchez a mid-season break due to fears of a burnout. The Chilean international has played continuously without a proper break since the start of last season, and the Frenchman fears that his exertions will catch up with him before the end of the current campaign.

According to the Mirror, Wenger is likely to rest Sanchez in the upcoming weeks following the international break, and give him a breather to recharge his batteries and get back to his best ahead of the festive season. Sanchez, who had a limited off-season break due to his participation in the Copa America, has looked tired in recent games, especially during the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur prior to the international break.

The Chilean international has now travelled with his national team for their World Cup qualifiers and Wenger will hope that he comes back in good shape. The French manager is facing a major injury crisis at the club, with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey all sidelined, and he is keen to avoid losing yet another key player at a crucial stage of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign.

Wenger could have Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ramsey back after the international break, which will give the Gunners boss a chance to rest Sanchez. He has had a slow start to the season, but scored six goals in the space of three league games, but has now failed to find the back of the net in his last three.

Petr Cech, meanwhile, has revealed one of the reasons for Arsenal's strong run in the Premier League this season. Despite the opening day loss at the hands of West Ham United, the north London club are level on points with league leaders Manchester City after 12 games. The Czech Republic international believes it's the work ethic shown by every member of the team and the desire to remain focused on the task at hand, which is to win every game.

"It's [down to] the work ethic of the team. You never win things without going for it, without being focused, without being right in the training ground. So far, I have to say that the team are focused on what we are doing every day and I have to say that this is the key," Cech told Arsenal's official site.

"You prepare every day and if you are really focused in what you are doing every day, then you give yourselves chances to win games. I believe that this team has that ability to be focused and ready to achieve. We are giving ourselves the chance to win every game," the Chelsea legend added.