Wenger: Jaded Sanchez needs a rest from leading Arsenal line

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits he is on a hiding to nothing over his decision to rest forward Alexis Sanchez for their FA Cup third round trip to Preston.

The Chile international will assume the role of fan for the Gunners’ trip to Lancashire with Wenger opting to allow Sanchez some time out of the matchday squad.

The 28-year-old is one of the team’s most influential players, having scored or assisted an impressive 45.5 per cent of Arsenal’s goals this season.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

He was instrumental in helping Arsenal recover from a three-goal deficit to draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday although he appeared to show his frustration at two points dropped by storming off the field.

And while resting his star player may lead to questions if Arsenal crash out of the FA Cup, Wenger remains convinced that player welfare comes first.

“Alexis wants always to play, and on one side when I don’t play him, people say ‘why don’t you play him?’ and on the other hand I am criticised for using him too much,” said Wenger.

“But I always planned in my head, no matter what happens, that in January he will need a breather.

“What we forget is that when they go away for international games they travel to Chile. Then they play sometimes 2,000 miles away, they travel back and then they come here and play the next day again.

“They are human beings – you have to give them a breather at some stage. Mentally and physically [Alexis needs a rest] because at the moment he is a bit jaded. You can see that he is tired.”