Alexis Sanchez has revealed that when he can’t play football he’s sad and that after his recent injury he was fearful when playing in case he aggravated the problem.

The Chilean was out of sorts when he first returned from his injury lay-off and it was clear that he wasn’t quite himself.

Recently, however, Alexis has looked back to his old self and has managed to grab three assists and two goals in his last four Premier League games.

“Before my injury I was 100 per cent fit. I was feeling well. After the injury I wanted to get back but it was hard,” Alexis said.

“I had a setback and when I played a match, I was scared I would get injured again because the thing I like most in the world is playing football and when I can’t play, I feel sad.”

Having Alexis back and firing will give Arsenal the best chance of overhauling Spurs, if not Leicester.

He also seems to have benefited from a move from the left flank to the right, a switch that forces him to cut inside and makes him significantly more dangerous.

Alexis has 12 goals and 11 assists in 34 games in all competitions this season.

Last season, he finished with 25 goals and 12 assists in 52 games – a direct goal involvement rate of 1.41 v 1.47 – showing only minimal difference in his effectiveness last season versus this.