Arsene Wenger defends decision to play Sanchez

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he doesn’t regret playing Alexis Sanchez in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Norwich, despite sweating on the severity of the Chilean star’s hamstring injury.

Sanchez had to be substituted in the second half, after coming into the match with a hamstring problem, but Wenger bristled at suggestions he should have been rested for the trip to Carrow Road.

On what Wenger described as a ‘bad afternoon’ for his side, Santi Cazorla also suffered a knee injury, while Laurent Koscielny had to be taken off early with a hip problem.

Sanchez had provided the assist for Mesut Ozil’s opener on the half-hour mark, but Lewis Grabban’s equaliser means the Gunners are two points off Premier League leaders Manchester City.