Bayern Munich join Arsenal in condemning Chile for risking injured star players

Bayern Munich have joined Arsenal in expressing their concern over star players picking up serious injuries while playing for Chile during the international break.

Arsenal fans have been left to sweat over the fitness of forward Alexis Sanchez after the 27-year-old suffered a thigh tear during a training session with the national team last Tuesday.

The former Barcelona star sat out the goalless draw with Colombia on Thursday (10 November) but has not returned to north London for treatment, with Chile manager Juan Antonio Pizzi suggesting the player could still feature against Uruguay on Tuesday.

Sanchez's club manager, Arsene Wenger, described that decision as "suicidal", insisting that Chile are at risk of turning what appears to be a minor injury into something far more serious. Arsenal have a trip to Manchester United looming after the international break.

Chile's injury woes have worsened since then with Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal stretchered off in the closing minutes of the Colombia game. Speaking after that match, he told local media he would likely be fit to feature on Tuesday in Montevideo.

Like Arsenal, Bayern are alarmed at the prospect of a hugely important member of their team being forced back too soon, and have pleaded with the Chilean national team not take unnecessary risks.

"Bayern Munich are very worried about Arturo Vidal's health," the club's chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, told Bild. "We urge the Chilean Football Association to deal with the situation responsibly and sensibly. It should be a given that the player's health is a top priority."

Chile currently sit in fifth place in the CONMEBOL World Cup 2018 qualifying table, with only the top four sides guaranteed places at the finals in Russia. While Wenger understands the country's pressure to win, the Arsenal boss also implored Chile's management to consider their player's long-term health.

"It's a grey area between the national team and the club team, and of course they look at their own results, which I can understand, but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez," Wenger told beIN Sports. "He always wants to play and that's where it is a more sensitive case, because he's always ready to play even when injured."

Manchester City are another club to have seen their Chile international struck by injury during the international break when goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was forced to limp off after colliding with Colombia's Miguel Borja, and later with Santiago Arias.

Bravo was originally thought to have suffered a knee problem, although manager Pizzi revealed afterwards that he had actually sustained a blow to the hip.

Chile also lost Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz in the second-half during an injury-struck evening.