by Lewis Ambrose

Speaking at a news conference in Singapore, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sánchez will return to the club at the beginning of August, missing the start of the season.

He is expected to miss the first month of the season as he readies himself for time on the pitch, confirmed the Arsenal manager. Alexis was decisive in helping Chile win their first ever trophy with success in the Copa América, but now he needs to rest.

“He’ll be back with us on August 3rd and it takes about three weeks to competitive,” said Wenger in Singapore ahead of the Barclays Asia Trophy, which begins on Wednesday.

Arsenal being the season at Wembley, facing Chelsea in the Community Shield on 2nd August with the Premier League campaign starting with a home game against West Ham a week later.

“It could take him a little bit less time [to get match fit] but he’ll miss our first game.”

The news is no shock, as Alexis was always expected to be given a rest after his exertions in South America. While the news was expected it is a blow, with the Gunners set to start the new season without last year’s top goalscorer.

Ultimately, though, it will only serve the club well. The Chilean is in desperate need of a rest after a long first season in England followed the World Cup and he jetted straight off to Chile after the FA Cup Final at the end of May.