Arsene Wenger keen to give Alexis Sanchez a winter break

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is keen to give Alexis Sanchez a winter break to protect him from any potential injury before the business end of the season. The Chilean has started 16 games for the Gunners this season, more than any other player and has played through a minor hamstring injury he picked up while playing for his national team.

The Daily Mail reports that Wenger is keen to win their group game against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, which will help Arsenal secure the top spot in their Champions League group. And, this will mean that Sanchez could be afforded some rest ahead of their final pool match against Basel on December 6. Sanchez will also be left out in Arsenal's game against Southampton in the quarter-finals of the league cup, with the manager willing to breed his young talent in that tournament.

Sanchez has not had a break since the summer of 2013, with World Cup and Copa America commitments keeping him with the national team over the past three summers. The forward suffered a hamstring injury in November last year and was out for two months, missing the crucial month of December and January, which was a massive blow to the Gunners' title challenge.

The Gunners have dropped to fourth in the table after two successive draws against Tottenham and Manchester United, having been joint toppers with Manchester City last month. Arsenal play Bournemouth next and will be desperate to take full points against Eddie Howe's men.

Sanchez has been used as the lone man upfront for the north London club, with Olivier Giroud dropping to the bench from where he has had a great impact, scoring three goals in his last three substitute appearances in the league. The Chilean has scored eight goals thus far in all competitions and is the Gunners' highest scorer, something the manager will be desperate to build on.