Wenger: Sanchez Is Staying At Arsenal, To Return On Tuesday

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Saturday insisted that Alexis Sanchez while revealing that star the Chilean has sent him a text message to inform him of the forward's ill-health.

Sanchez who has been linked to Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain was involved in the FIFA Confederations Cup and therefore given an extended break along with Germany's Shokdran Mustafi.

Wenger said after his team's 5-2 thrashing of Benfica in their first of two games in the Emirates Cup that Sanchez's return for training ahead of the start of next season has consequently been delayed.

The Chile star was scheduled to resume training on Sunday but posted a picture on social media indicating he was I'll on Friday.

"Alexis has flu. I had a text yesterday. He will come back as soon as possible.

"There is no development [on his future] – he is staying, of course," Wenger said in his post-match press conference on Saturday.

Responding to the question of Sanchez has told him he wants to stay at the club despite interest in him, Wenger said: "I cannot reveal a secret conversation. We’re in touch with him and his doctor.

"There’s no problem except he won’t come back tomorrow, he’ll be back on Tuesday.

"I think the players who want a new contract have to respect their contract.

"For a manager it’s a bit different, it concerns what is the future of the club, what’s going on what’s happening, it has great uncertainty. For the player it’s different."