Arsenal injury news: Alexis Sanchez will join training a week before Manchester City clash, admits Wenger

Arsenal have been handed a major boost ahead of their clash against Manchester City on 21 December, after Arsene Wenger revealed that Alexis Sanchez will be back to training on Monday (14 December), which could possibly see him make the squad for the crucial clash against their title rivals. The Chilean suffered a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw against Norwich City on 29 November and was expected to be out for at least a month.

The former Barcelona star, however, returned to his homeland and has been undergoing treatment and training with the physio of his national team, and is now ready to return to London Colney to begin training with the Gunners. The French manager, who is facing an injury crisis in the midfield department, could have all his attackers apart from Danny Welbeck available for the game against the Etihad Stadium outfit.

Sanchez missed games against Sunderland and Olympiacos during his injury spell and will also sit out their clash against Aston Villa on Sunday (13 December). Wenger has suggested that he could be short for the clash on 21 December, but it is likely that the Chilean international will at least make the bench.

"He is back on Sunday, he trains on Monday morning at 9.30am. He is running already... I sent him back to Chile, where he has been running with the physio of the national team, and we will see what kind of state he is in next week," Wenger said, as quoted by the London Evening Standard. "He may be a bit short for City, certainly, but with Alexis you never know."

Arsenal are without a number of first-team players going into the busy festive period fixtures, with the midfield the main affected area. Wenger has indicated that none of the five midfielders will return before the end of December, with Jack Wilshere the closest to make a comeback.