Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not punishing Alexis Sanchez by playing him in the Cup games
The rest of the first-team stars in the Gunners squad have been rested in the Europa League and Carabao Cup
ARSENE WENGER insists he is not punishing Alexis Sanchez by making him play in the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
The Arsenal manager has denied suggestions that he is making a point by selecting the unsettled striker for the minor competitions while resting all his other stars.
Chilean superstar Sanchez looked far from impressed at finding himself up against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night after being left out of the starting line-up against Chelsea at the weekend.
But Wenger insists: “There is no disguised attitude on my side. I am just trying to get Alexis back to full fitness and for me the Europa League and the League Cup is the best way to do that.
“I gave him a long holiday this summer and after that real rest he came back not really fit.
“It took us time to get him back and then he got injured, so I played him against Doncaster to give him more competition and to get him back to his best.
“I chose a team at Chelsea who can be strong on the counter-attack and fight very hard. Sanchez could have played if he was 100 per cent fit to start but he was still a bit short physically on Sunday.
“But against Doncaster you could see that he is coming back to full sharpness and that is why I left him on the pitch to have a real go.”
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Sanchez has started just one Premier League game this season after refusing to sign a new contract and failing to secure a move to Manchester City on transfer deadline day.
Asked if he believes that last season’s 30-goal top scorer is still happy to be wearing an Arsenal shirt, Wenger replied: “That’s the impression I have, yes.
“All the players are an important part of my plans. He’s not more important than any others.
“I have six or seven strikers and there is no real hierarchy for me. If I go for three strikers in one game, the three who have not played will play in midweek no matter what competition it is.”
But with Danny Welbeck ruled out by a groin injury until after next month’s England international games against Slovenia and Lithuania, Sanchez is almost certain to return to the starting line-up for Monday’s home game against West Brom.
Mesut Ozil will also be back after missing Sunday’s goalless draw at Chelsea with an inflamed knee.