Alexis Sanchez will return to Arsenal on Friday after a difficult week in which Chile crashed out of World Cup contention. Arsene Wenger, however, has told the striker to focus entirely on club football and forget Chile missing out on a place in Russia.
Defeat to Brazil (3-0) in their final World Cup qualifier on Tuesday means Alexis Sanchez will be one of the stars who will not be gracing the tournament in Russia next summer.
After failing to land a £60 million move to Manchester City on transfer deadline day, the disappointment with his national team only adds to a miserable start for the 28-year-old.
Arsene Wenger has told Sanchez not to dwell on Chile's World Cup failure and to concentrate on winning games with Arsenal. 'I'll have to speak to him as I am concerned', the Gunners boss said ahead of Arsenal's trip to Watford on Saturday. 'I watched the whole game between Brazil and Chile and I saw how difficult it was and that he got some special treatment. It was a physical game'.
Sanchez will return from South America on Friday and the French manager intends to have a word with the wantaway striker, whom he believes should now concentrate fully on what is likely to be his final season at the Emirates.
'Mentally, I will assess the situation tomorrow [Friday]. He is a winner and wants to focus on winning things', Wenger said, before sending a message to the Chilean: 'I think the World Cup is a great tournament, but when you don't have it, you focus on your club'.