Arsenal ace Alexis Sanchez likely to be back for festive period

Alexis Sanchez is likely to return in time for the busy Christmas fixture schedule for Arsenal, but Santi Cazorla is out until the new year after suffering a knee injury at Norwich last Sunday.

Manager Arsene Wenger yesterday said he did not know the exact prognosis for the pair, but it is understood playmaker Cazorla’s ailment is more long-term than forward Sanchez’s hamstring problem.

Wenger is convinced Arsenal are capable of coping in the absence of two of their most influential players.