Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez will be available for Liverpool game

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that star forward Alexis Sanchez should be available for the Gunners’ away trip to Liverpool next weekend.

he Chile international has played no part for the north London outfit this term owing to an abdominal strain sustained prior to the club’s Community Shield triumph over Chelsea this month.

Sanchez has missed the Premier League outings against both Leicester City and Stoke City due to his minor injury, but Wenger expects him to feature in the game at Anfield, he said: “If all goes well through the week, he should be available to be selected for the next game, yes.”

Arsenal suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Stoke City on Saturday but Wenger was quick to come in the defence of midfielder Mesut Ozil, who was strongly criticised by BT Sport pundits Steven Gerrard and Martin Keown for his average performance. Wenger added: “I think he did fight.”It is difficult to single anybody out. I believe we had many, many chances and personally I don’t think he deserves [criticism].”

Sanchez has been strongly linked with a potential move away from the Emirates this summer, but Wenger has remained firm on his stance that the attacker is not for sale regardless of his contract status. The Chilean footballer currently has less than 12 months left on his previous deal, and the manager is prepared to take a huge financial risk in order to push for a first Premier League title in 13 years.

The 28-year-old was surprisingly dropped to the bench during last season’s 3-1 defeat an Anfield, and Wenger will seek to have the Chilean from the off this time around as he seeks to avoid back-to-back away defeats in the top-flight.