Arsene Wenger says it’s absolutely essential that Arsenal’s medical team get access to an MRI scan of Alexis Sanchez’s injured hamstring and warned the Chilean national team that they risk a suicidal decision playing the striker if he’s not fit.

The striker has not travelled to Colombia for his country’s crunch World Cup qualifier but could feature against Uruguay on Tuesday if he recovers sufficiently from the problem.

The reigning Copa America champions are currently seventh in the South American qualification group for the 2018 World Cup after an abject run of results.

Speaking to beIN Sports about his star man, Wenger confirmed the muscular injury and outlined his concerns: “I got a text last night (to say) that he has a hamstring injury.

“The team from Chile has travelled without him and they kept him to try and get him fit to play Uruguay for the second game on Tuesday night.

“I believe that with a hamstring injury. We have to get access for our medical staff to the MRI scan to see what grade it is, how bad it is and make absolutely sure they don’t make any suicidal decision that could harm his future for two or three months.

“That is absolutely important. It’s a grey area between the national team and the club team and of course they look at their own results which I can understand but we have to preserve the health of Alexis Sanchez.

“He always wants to play and that’s where it is a more sensitive case because he’s always ready to play even when injured.”

Any serious injury at this time of the season could see Alexis miss a huge number of games. Let’s hope a sensible resolution is reached.