Arsenal vs Tottenham: Alexis Sanchez warned by Arsenal...for doing too much training

Sanchez wanted to train on Thursday but was given two days' rest following the League Cup defeat to Southampton

Alexis Sanchez (Getty Images)

Alexis Sanchez has been given a warning for Arsenal, because he is trying to do extra training.

The forward has hit the ground running since completing his £35m move to the Gunners in the summer, with his latest performance seeing the Chile international curl a beautiful free-kick in during the 2-1 Capital One Cup loss to Southampton on Tuesday night.

Having played all 90 minutes in the defeat to Saints, Sanchez was given two days’ rest along with Jack Wilshere before he would resume full training, but his Arsenal team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed that he had to be told not to train due to his eagerness to play.

Speaking to Arsenal Player, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “Alexis played 90 minutes the other day and Jack Wilshere as well and they're usually on second-day recovery.

“But today [Thursday] Alexis really wanted to train and he was asking to train and people had to tell him to take it easy today.

“That just sums up how much everyone wants to be around the squad and training, and I think he knew we had a massive game coming up this weekend and, as a new boy, it's good that he does know that.

“Obviously everyone else that's been here and been involved in a north London derby knows how big a game it is, so that just proves the intensity goes up in training and everyone just wants to be around and pushing for a start.”

With the Gunners coming off a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League – which saw them score all three goals in three minutes and 12 seconds – they will hope to continue that form in one of their biggest games of the season, as North London rivals Tottenham visit the Emirates on Saturday evening.

Arsenal players share a joke during training (Getty Images)

Now entering his fourth season with Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain is hoping to put together a run of fitness to make himself a permanent fixture in the first team. It was during one of his enforced spells on the sidelines that the 21-year-old began to understand the importance of beating Tottenham, and he says it has helped him to understand what it means to the fans.

“When I was injured and watching it, it was so much more nerve-wracking, not being a part of it,” explained Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“When you're in the heat of it on the pitch you don't really get time to think about what's going on too much.

“But come the final whistle it does taste a little bit sweeter if it's a win against Spurs. You can see how much it means to everyone at the club.”

Arsene Wenger’s side go into the match at the Emirates looking to maintain their impressive run of results against Spurs, having won all three matches between the two sides last season in which their opponents didn’t even register a goal.