Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez to be given mid-season break by Arsene Wenger amid burnout fears

The Chilean spent the summer months leading his national side to Copa America glory

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Alexis Sanchez is set to be handed a mid-season break by manager Arsene Wenger to save the Arsenal forward from burnout.

The Chilean spent the summer months leading his national side to victory in a draining Copa America campaign and returned to pre-season training without an extended break behind him.

Despite suggestions during pre-season that Sanchez’s return to first-team action would be delayed, he featured as a substitute in the club’s opening weekend defeat to West Ham United and then started the following five league games.

The former Barcelona forward, who scored 25 goals last season following a £35m move from the Nou Camp, failed to find the net until 26 September this term.

After his hat-trick against Leicester City, Sanchez went on to score in his next five consecutive games, but is now without a goal since mid-October.

Wenger has seemingly attributed the goal drought to fatigue and, according to a report in the Daily Mirror, is ready to award Sanchez some time off in the coming weeks.

With the injury list lengthening at the Emirates, the Frenchman is keen to ensure that one of his most important players does not push his body to the brink.

Arsenal currently have seven first-team squad members sidelined through injury, including fellow frontline options Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who came off with a hamstring injury in the recent Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, is expected to be fit for the forthcoming trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Hector Bellerin, who has impressed at right-back so far this term, should also return after the international break from a groin strain sustained earlier this month.