Alexis Sanchez scares Arsenal fans with gruesome update on ankle injury

Chile forward suffered bad tackle during last Sunday's Copa America final victory over Argentina

Alexis Sanchez came in for rough treatment during the Copa America final (Getty)

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has provided a gruesome update on his ankle injury by tweeting a picture of his heavily-bruised left foot as he recovers on holiday.

The 27-year-old was on the receiving end of a malicious challenge from Argentina's Gabriel Mercado during extra-time of Sunday's Copa America final in New Jersey.

Chile went on to win the match on penalties to retain their title, but the Sanchez injury had Arsenal fans fearing he would miss the start of the season.

The new Premier League campaign gets underway on 13 August as Arsenal host Liverpool, and doubts remain over whether Sanchez will be fit to feature, after another extended summer of matches.

Alexis Sanchez recovered enough to celebrate with the Copa America trophy and the player of the final award (Getty)

The Gunners also have friendly matches in the United States, Norway and Sweden prior to the big kick-off.

The forward, who scored 17 goals in 40 matches in all competitions last season to help the Gunners finish second, tweeted a picture earlier in the week highlighting his mis-shapen ankle, with these latest pictures at least showing the swelling having gone down as he recovers in New York.

He later added a positive message for Arsenal and Chile supporters: "Your body can endure almost everything.. it is your mind that you have to convince."