Report: Arsenal's Sanchez to miss start of season
Arsenal will have to make do without Alexis Sanchez to start the season following a busy year which concluded when he helped Chile win the Copa America.
Sanchez, who scored the penalty that ended his nation's 99-year wait to win the South American title, will likely be absent from the starting lineup in Arsenal's Aug. 2 Community Shield match against Chelsea, according to Jeremy Wilson of The Telegraph.
The forward will reportedly be granted three weeks off to recover from the grueling tournament before a full Premier League season, with manager Arsene Wenger avoiding any risks with one of his most talented players.
Along with over 50 appearances with Arsenal, Sanchez appeared in all six of Chile's matches at the Copa America, and likely won't return to football action until July 27.
Adding to his round-the-clock schedule were his appearances at last year's World Cup after his final season with Barcelona, meaning Sanchez has rarely had time to rest since the summer of 2013.
There's no word if Sanchez will be ready for the season opener when Arsenal begin the 2015-16 campaign against West Ham on Aug. 9.