Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez to miss the start of next season with ankle injury

Arsenal are set to be without Alexis Sanchez for the start of next season with the forward recuperating from an ankle injury he picked up in the recently-concluded Copa America. It makes for a tricky situation at Arsenal, who are already without Danny Welbeck – out with a knee injury – and a number of other players may not be available following Euro 2016.

According to the Mirror, the Gunners are closely monitoring the Chile striker's recovery, but fear that he might not be available for their crunch game against Liverpool on opening day of the season at the Emirates. Sanchez scored 17 goals and assisted 10 in the league last season and will be a major miss for the north London club, who will be without Olivier Giroud for the opening few games, having given him almost a month off following his performance with his national squad at the Euros.

Giroud is likely to return to training on August 8 and may not be ready to participate in the game against Liverpool. Theo Walcott is currently the only player who is available up front, while Chuba Akpom could be called upon if necessary.

The Gunners are in the market for a striker, but have failed to close a deal for a top name so far, having already been rejected by Leicester City's Jamie Vardy. Although, the north London club activated his release clause, the England international signed a long term contract with the Foxes to end any speculation over his future.

Arsenal are now looking to sign a deal with Gonzalo Higuain, reported the Evening Standard, but have baulked at his £79m ($104m) release clause, which is almost double their maximum outlay for Mesut Ozil. The Gunners tried for Higuain from Real Madrid in 2013, however, the Argentina international slipped away as they turned their attention to Luis Suarez, who decided to stay at Liverpool.