Alexis Sanchez could be back for Arsenal’s match against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, according to manager Arsène Wenger.

Speaking after the match against Stoke City about the possibility of a return next week, Arsène was keen to stress that Alexis shouldn’t be rushed back. He told reporters via the Independent: “We’ll see how he goes through the week. He has not played for a long time.

“We prepared well, yes he was out, he had a muscular strain and hopefully he’ll survive the tests first before he comes back. He has not played now for six weeks, it’s difficult in the first game to be at your best.”

It definitely seems like there’s at least a possibility that the Chilean could play for the Gunners on Sunday, which would be very welcome news to Arsenal fans.

Although there were plenty of players at fault for the loss to Stoke on Saturday, Danny Welbeck was particularly wasteful on the left-hand side, and often seemed to want to take up more advanced positions on the pitch than his role suggested he should, which forced Alexandre Lacazette deep to receive the ball.

Alexis and Mesut Özil are both known for dropping deep whenever they can’t get on the ball in more advanced positions, so this would free up Lacazette to stay where he can be most dangerous.

We saw how clinical the striker can be with his finish from an apparently offside position, the one time he did get into the box with the ball.

As well as that, Alexis has always added goals to the Arsenal side, whether on the wing or up front, whilst his replacements have been far less consistent. So the Gunners fans will be waiting for the Arsenal team-sheet this weekend with baited breath.