Chelsea clash perfect opportunity for Alexis Sanchez to start making up for lost time

Just over two months ago, Arsene Wenger vowed to give Alexis Sanchez a break. The question was when. 

A lengthening injury list meant the Arsenal manager’s options were limited. Then the decision was taken out of his hands. Sanchez’s hamstring injury against Norwich, coming on the same afternoon Santi Cazorla suffered a long-term injury and Arsenal dropped two valuable points in their final game of a miserable November, felt seismic.

The Chilean is an explosive player with a tireless workrate that inspires those around him. His brilliance in the first half of last season kept Arsenal in the hunt for a Champions League spot before his team-mates found form and consistency after Christmas.