Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal will reap the rewards of a “good winter break” for Alexis Sanchez after he scored the winner in their fourth-round FA Cup victory over Burnley on Saturday.

Sanchez, making his first start for the Gunners since November 29, set up Calum Chambers for the opening goal of the game before getting on the scoresheet in the second half of a 2-1 success.

The Chile international was given a standing ovation by the Arsenal faithful after he was substituted with 11 minutes remaining following an impressive display.

And Wenger, who is bidding to win the FA Cup for a record seventh time as a manager, believes the Gunners will benefit from Sanchez’s enforced spell on the sidelines.

“He has had a long rest now,” said Wenger of the 27-year-old forward who was an ever-present for Arsenal until he sustained a hamstring injury in their 1-1 draw at Norwich.

“It is true that when he got injured you could see signs of fatigue, and two months’ rest is a good winter break.

“I was not too worried on the fitness front because I kept him out two weeks ago. He was there physically but we had some worries about his muscle, but he came through well and you could see that physically he is ready.”