Of course a competitor as fierce as Sanchez is going to want to play every minute of every game. Aaron Ramsey, who himself was making his full comeback from injury in the Norwich match, will be seen as the natural replacement for Cazorla in the more attacking of the two central midfield positions alongside Mathieu Flamini.
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Having already seen Laurent Koscielny forced off with a hip complaint and Santi Cazorla finish the game “on one leg” after taking a knock to his knee, losing Sanchez for any length of time will be seen as a big blow. When asked about this by reporters, Wenger responded sharply: “The players are there to play, not to be rested when (the) press decides when they need to be rested”.
Press Association Sport understands the pair are now doubtful for Saturday’s visit of Sunderland as well as the crucial Champions League clash with Olympiacos in Greece four days later.
“Obviously we can do it, but also it’s not going to be easy because it is a good team and it is going to be a great atmosphere over there, but I think we have the team spirit to do it”. I don’t know if he has jaded his knee ligament or he it was just a kick on the nerve but the worrying thing was it got worse during the game. “He says it’s a kick on his hamstring, I believe that’s not really the reality”. You are playing for the title and you come here [to Norwich] and you need to win. “I know I was a pain in the neck when you would take me out in the game”, stated Henry.
“I would have rested Sanchez, but he said to me before the game he was fine to play”, he said.
But Wenger’s decision proved incorrect as Sanchez pulled up in the 57th minute when chasing to contest the ball with Canaries defender Ryan Bennett, and went down clutching the back of his right leg.
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Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez picked up an injury in the draw at Norwich City. He featured throughout Arsenal’s win over Dinamo Zagreb in midweek, even though the Gunners were comfortably 3-0 in front with 20 minutes to go. Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Danny Welbeck and Francis Coquelin are all also out until at least the New Year while captain Mikel Arteta is hoping to be back from his calf injury within the next fortnight.
