Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez and Shkodran Mustafi will return to training on Sunday.
Alexis and Mustafi are the last players to return to training after their exertions in the Confederations Cup. Mustafi’s Germany defeated Alexis’ Chile in the final before the pair were given four weeks off to recover from a long season.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, Wenger has confirmed that the two will return to training on Sunday. “Alexis and Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday, the day we play against Sevilla [in the Emirates Cup]. They are practising on the day,” he said.
This means they won’t be involved in this weekend’s Emirates Cup, where Arsenal will play their final two friendlies before the Community Shield against Chelsea on August 6.
That game could be their only opportunity to get some minutes before the season begins at home to Leicester the following Friday. Wenger has always been keen not to rush players back if he can help it, and has said he will asses the two players before making a decision.
“First of all you make a really good check up of where they are, how much they have worked during their break. After, once you know where you stand, they need an adjusted programme and to see how quickly you can fit them in again.
“Of course it depends as well on what is the need in the squad, what is their quality. All of these things together make your decision. Do you put them on the bench when they are not ready [to start]?
“It is easier to put a striker on the bench than a defender, sometimes. Because in a short period they can make an impact. We’ll see.”
Arsenal may need Mustafi back as soon as possible due to Laurent Koscielny serving a two-game suspension at the start of the season. Alexis, meanwhile, will always been keen to play. That’s assuming he’s still at the club by the time the season starts.
Hopefully, Arsenal will spam pictures of Alexis training all over their site. If nothing else, that would prevent speculation of the player going on strike in an attempt to force a move.