Wenger confirms bad news for Arsenal's Sanchez

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will not be risked in Arsenal's FA Cup third round clash with Sunderland on Saturday.

The 27-year-old missed the entire festiv

e fixture list having suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw at Norwich in November.

Sanchez was expected to make his comeback for the win over title rivals Manchester City before Christmas but suffered a setback in his recovery.

"The bad news of the week is that Alexis is not quite ready," Arsene Wenger told arsenal.com.

"It is a precaution because of his hamstring, and it takes a few more days. He's not bad but he's not ready.

"The thinking is to give absolutely everything to qualify. We are the holders of the cup and I know as well by experience that it is very important that you get in the competition and that you have a successful third round. It's a tricky one, always, the third round."

Wenger is not ready to rush Sanchez back into his side with crucial league fixtures to come and a Champions League tie against the Chile international's former club Barcelona on the horizon.