Alexis Sanchez showed he was not ready to come back when he walked off the field in the second half with a hamstring injury. The Chilean player was not expected to play as he had previously mentioned his medical staff about the injury but either way, Alexis was a starter against Norwich City.
One of the most iconic players in Arsenal's roster could not finish the game and now fans are wondering what was going to Wenger's head when he decided to line up Sanchez. Alexis did not seem bothered by the decision but seeing him go down pulling his hamstring has fans and Arsenal's staff fearing negative repercusions.
Arsenal has a chance to share the lead with Manchester City and Leicester City. They started the game going down the right path with a goal from Mesut Ozil in the 30th minute, but it did not end well with a goal from Lewis Grabban just before halftime to tie the game and set a 1-1 score that would not change in the second half.
What happened in the second half was Sanchez suddenly stopping to grab his left hamstring and leaving the game shortly after, 60 minutes into the match. Joel Campbell took his place, but by the facial expressions of Sanchez, there was nothing to feel safe about regarding his injury. Laurent Koscielny would also have to leave the game with an injury due to a kick on the hip in the first half.
Things are not looking good in Arsenal's medical treatment facility
.@Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: "“We lost Alexis Sanchez – I don’t know for how long. It’s a big blow for us." #NORARS pic.twitter.com/8WYdaM9Wf5
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 29, 2015
“He says it’s a kick on his hamstring – I believe that’s not the reality,” Arsenal's manager . "Nobody is scientifically developed enough, not even the press, to predict when a guy will be injured. We checked it and he had no problem."
The moment in which Alexis walks away
Alexis Sanchez was subbed off due to a hamstring injury. Get well soon Alexis. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/4ltMmM928w
— ❤️=⚽️ (@Total_Futbol_) November 29, 2015
Now, Arsenal and non-Arsenal supporters have been critical of the poor decision-making by Wenger. While the manager would have hoped that using Alexis would help them win the game, it did not turn out to be like that and the consequences could be costly as it is still unclear of how much time the Chilean striker may be out.
Fans had no mercy on "The Professeur"
Wenger's 2 disastrous decisions to 'rest' Cech in CL & play Alexis today are just further evidence that he's lost it. #afc
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 29, 2015
Wenger: "Rest makes Alexis tired " Alexis Sanchez is the first human being who gets tired from resting.
— SoccerpaediaⓂ️ (@soccerpaedia) November 27, 2015
Ouch. Alexis Sanchez injury apparently not being anything easy. Not hard to predict that any Arsenal title ambition are linked to that
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) November 29, 2015
Alexis Sanchez pulls up with what looks like a hamstring injury. The result of being overworked & overplayed. pic.twitter.com/uNu9iTErZF
— Chris Wheatley (@GoonerTalk) November 29, 2015
Arsene Wenger has caused distress among more people than Hitler ever did
— Marco Verratti (@Halopenos) November 29, 2015
Arsene Wenger would not have lasted at any another football club. He is a failure, a fraud, a dictator and a clueless coach. #WengerOut
— ❄ (@ExcitableExpert) November 29, 2015