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Alexis Sanchez tells Arsenal he has the flu to put Sunday return in doubt

Sick: Alexis Sanchez is due to end his extended holiday on Sunday: Instagram/alexis_officia1
Sick: Alexis Sanchez is due to end his extended holiday on Sunday: Instagram/alexis_officia1

Alexis Sanchez has told Arsenal he has the flu, days before his expected return to first-team training.

Arsene Wenger confirmed on Thursday that he expects the wantaway forward to join up with his team-mates on Sunday.

“Alexis and [Shkodran] Mustafi, their first training session will be on Sunday, the day we play against Sevilla [in the Emirates Cup],” Wenger told the club's official website.

However, less than 24 hours later, Sanchez has thrown the schedule into doubt with an illness and posted a selfie wearing a scarf and looking down in the dumps. The caption reads: "sick"

Sanchez and Mustafi, representing Chile and Germany respectively, were given an extended break following their Confederations Cup commitments.

While away, Sanchez gave an interview underlining his determination to play Champions League football before adding that his future depended on Arsenal.

Arsenal host the Emirates Cup this weekend, which neither Sanchez or Mustafi will feature in, as they welcome Sevilla, Benfica and RB Leipzig to north London.

Benfica are the Gunners' opponents on Saturday before facing the Liga side the following day, with club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette set to make his home debut.