Alexis Sanchez’s situation has dominated the headlines all summer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez is out of action because he has flu amid speculation that he could be about to go on strike in order to force a transfer out of the club.

The Chile international posted on Instagram yesterday that he was feeling ‘sick’, without specifying anything, though the timing of the post reportedly raised some fears around the Emirates Stadium.

It has been claimed that there is the growing feeling around the club that Sanchez could hand in a transfer request and make life difficult for the Gunners in the final weeks of the transfer window after failing so far to get his desired move to Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain.

The 28-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season and there has been little sign that he’ll renew with Arsenal after recently admitting he’s desperate to be playing in the Champions League.

Wenger’s latest update on Sanchez’s future might not inspire a huge amount of confidence, with the Frenchman explaining that the player is ill and still in his native Chile despite originally being expected back in training by tomorrow.

Arsene Wenger still insists Sanchez will stay at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEmsmhlNNx/?taken-by=alexis_officia1&hl=en

‘He has flu. I had him on text yesterday saying he’d come back as soon as possible. We’re in touch with him and his doctor,’ Wenger said at his Emirates Cup press conference.

‘There’s no problem except he won’t come back tomorrow, he’ll be back on Tuesday.’

Wenger insisted once again that Sanchez will be staying at Arsenal, though he couldn’t confirm that the player himself was happy with that decision.

‘There’s no development,’ he explained. ‘It’s always the same. He’s staying. of course.

Wenger does not believe Sanchez is faking his illness (Picture: Getty)

‘I think the players who want a new contract have to respect their contract.

‘For a manager it’s a bit different, it concerns what is the future of the club, what’s going on what’s happening, it has great uncertainty. For the player it’s different.

‘I can’t reveal to you what he says always. I cannot reveal what is a secret conversation. We speak in English. He’s flying back as soon as he’s in a position to fly back – he has the flu. That’s normally four or five days.’

Sanchez was immense for Arsenal last season, finishing as their top scorer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal's pre-season fixtures

Arsenal 2-0 Sydney FC
Arsenal 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Arsenal 1-1 Bayern Munich
Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea
Arsenal 5-2 Benfica
Arsenal 1-2  Sevilla
Aug 6 – Chelsea (Wembley – Community Shield)

Wenger also dismissed speculation that Sanchez could be faking his illness, suggesting once again that he believes the media are making a story out of nothing.

‘Your job is to be suspicious. Your job is to mistrust, my job is to trust. That’s why I prefer my side,’ he said.

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