Wenger warns Alexis Sanchez over schedule

Arsene Wenger has warned Alexis Sanchez that he could suffer mentally and physically by his first Christmas in the Premier League.

Unlike the majority of their European counterparts, Premier League clubs continue to play over the course of the Christmas and New Year period with teams scheduled to play four matches in the space of ten days.

Wenger has grown accustomed to the schedule since moving to Arsenal from Monaco, but he feels Sanchez could be in for a shock by the programme of matches.

“It is a shock to the system, those that are not used to it,” Wenger said. “They [foreign players] are all used to a break, but in England there is no stop in the winter. Many of them suffer physically.

“As well mentally, the players are used to a break over Christmas, to be with their family. The players from South America are used to going home, but of course in England you cannot do it.”

Sanchez has scored 14 goals in 24 appearances for the Gunners since his summer move and Wenger is hoping a recent break will help the 26-year-old in the coming weeks.

“He needed some rest. He benefited from the fact that I didn’t take him to Galatasaray [in the Champions League earlier this month]. He has played 28 games since the start of the season and he needed a little breather. It will have helped him,” Wenger added.

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