Arsenal pay Alexis Sanchez a visit to confirm flu claim as Arsene Wenger reveals he will return on Tuesday

  • Arsene Wenger insists 'nothing has changed' with regard to Alexis Sanchez
  • The Chilean claimed to be sick after posting a photo to Instagram last week
  • Arsenal doctors have since confirmed he is suffering from the flu and will rest
  • Wenger reiterates Sanchez will see out the last year of his contract with the club

Arsenal doctors have visited Alexis Sanchez and have confirmed that he has flu, easing the fears of fans who saw the Chilean's Instagram post advertising his illness as a ruse.

Boss Arsene Wenger will let the Chilean return to training late and once again insisted that he will not be leaving the Emirates this summer.

'He has flu. I had him on text yesterday Friday), he will come back as soon as possible. We were in touch with him and his doctor. No basic problem except he should come back tomorrow (Sunday) but now he comes back Tuesday,' Wenger said on Saturday.

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez uploaded a photograph alongside his dog with the caption: 'Sick'

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez uploaded a photograph alongside his dog with the caption: 'Sick'

The Chilean striker, 28, posted a picture on social media (right) looking miserable alongside his dog, saying, 'Sick' as he takes an extended break after the Confederations Cup.


Sanchez wants to play Champions League football but despite Manchester City's interest, Wenger has insisted that he will not be sold, despite having only a year left on his contract.

'There is no development in his future it is always the same. He is staying, of course,' he said.

Asked whether Sanchez has told him he wants to leave, Wenger added: 'I cannot reveal what he says, I can't reveal secret conversations.'

Arsene Wenger said 'nothing has changed' with regards to Sanchez's Arsenal future

Arsene Wenger said 'nothing has changed' with regards to Sanchez's Arsenal future

The Chile star has less than a year remaining on his contract and can leave for free in 2018

The Chile star has less than a year remaining on his contract and can leave for free in 2018

City are said to be confident he will join but Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis promised that this summer would be a 'catalyst for change'. Both boss and board agree that they need to retain Sanchez, even if he runs down his current deal.

Wenger's reasoning has always been that with 30 goals and 19 assists last season, Sanchez is irreplaceable and if Arsenal's long-promised challenge for a title is to materialise, there is no player who could offer them those kind of statistics.

Arsenal have not given up on signing Monaco's Thomas Lemar — although it will take a club record £60million fee to get him.

Monaco have already sold Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy to Manchester City for a combined £90m and Tiemoue Bakayoko to Chelsea for £34m.

Real Madrid are ready to pay £160m for 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe. Arsenal accept that if that moves goes through, their chances of getting Lemar will be over. But Monaco are yet to sanction the move, so Arsenal's interest remains.

Arsenal have not given up hope of signing Thomas Lemar (right) but Monaco want £60m

Arsenal have not given up hope of signing Thomas Lemar (right) but Monaco want £60m

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