On Thursday, Wenger explained that Sanchez had suffered a “hamstring alarm” after the midweek Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb but reckoned that, like an explosive hunting lion, his predator had the durability and resistance to roar back.
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Arsenal’s problems with injuries have been well documented this season, with seven players on the list before the start of the game against Norwich. Sanchez has a hamstring problem and Koscielny has a hip problem.
“No I don’t regret it”, he said after the game. I fear the reality is worse than that.
“Zlatan on his day is the most talented footballer in the game”.
“How bad it is, I don’t know”.
Koscielny was forced off early on with a hip problem, Sanchez was next to depart with a thigh injury and although Cazorla was able to complete the game despite a knee injury, Wenger described the Spain midfielder as “playing on one leg”.
A first-half equaliser from Lewis Grabban to cancel out Mesut Ozil’s opener has earned Norwich City a 1-1 home draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
That defeat drew Manchester City level with the Blues at the top of the table, but Chelsea won the title at a canter with a fine second half of the season.
Former Blackburn and Norwich striker Chris Sutton was BBC Radio 5 live’s summariser at the match.
Finding form and fast is the now the key for the Costa Rica man as he is under pressure to deliver as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott slowly but surely return. “Wenger must be anxious”, he said.
The Gunners were dealt a big blow in the 11th minute when defender, Laurent Koscielny, picked up knock and had to be replaced.
Norwich nearly grabbed a second-half victor but Petr Cech made a stunning one-handed save after Gabriel Paulista almost headed Martin Olsson’s cross into his own goal.
They will really miss both players in the coming weeks. “Why would he? He must have declared himself fit, but he hobbled off and it did not look good”.
Gunners boss Wenger flagged up last week that Sanchez had a tight hamstring but insisted he did not regret risking Arsenal’s star player even though the injury is a massive blow.
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But the likes of Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck, Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta all in the treatment room alongside Coquelin, with a lack of central midfielders the main issue Wenger is likely to address if he buys in the transfer window.
