Wenger: Alexis Sanchez slight chance to be back for City game

With a massive top of the table showdown with Manchester City looming large next week, Arsene Wenger gave fans a  bit of positive news regarding star winger Alexis Sanchez. Though it seemed unlikely that he'd make the encounter, it now appears that he's progressing nicely and could be made available.

We are quite far from the game but at the moment, everybody who played against Aston Villa is available for Monday night and there are one or two possible comebacks. Maybe there is a slight chance for Alexis to be in the squad again but it is too early to be sure about it. He is running but not participating in full training.

Of course, it's in Sanchez's hyper competitive nature to rush himself back, but Wenger will take it day by day and won't force the issue.

I believe that is normal that he wants to play. You want him to be keen to play. He respects all the decisions I make and that is what I want from him.

It would be surprising to see Alexis make the starting lineup, but the way things are unfolding and given the importance of the three points one could reasonably expect to at least see him on the bench.