Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has said that Alexis Sanchez should be fit Arsenal’s game against Liverpool.

Alexis missed Friday’s game against Leicester and will be absent again for the trip to Stoke on Saturday due to an abdominal strain. Arsene Wenger confirmed this morning that the 28-year-old should be okay for the trip to Liverpool. And just in case you’re still in doubt, Ray Parlour thinks so, too.

“I know the fact he’s working so hard to be fit, he came back that little bit later, it takes a little bit longer to be ready for the first team,” Parlour said, as reported by the Express. “I don’t’ think he’ll be playing against Stoke but I’m sure he’ll feature against Liverpool in the next one.”

Whether Alexis will be ready to start by then is another matter. He returned to training late due to the Confederations Cup and has had no match practice whatsoever. Unless Arsenal are having a real crisis up front, he’s unlikely to be rushed back.

Of course, none of this matters as it’s still August and everything that’s said and done about Alexis means he’s definitely leaving. It won’t be until he’s back wearing an Arsenal shirt and playing for the club in September the speculation will die down. And even then it probably won’t truly die. The sooner supporters see Alexis back in the starting lineup, the better.