ALEXIS SANCHEZ sent a timely reminder to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger during Chile’s World Cup qualifying clash against Uruguay.
Wenger had wanted Sanchez to return to London to receive treatment, branding the decision for the national squad to keep him back as ‘suicidal’.
But Sanchez showed his importance to the cause with his rasping matchwinner against Uruguay.
After a relatively quiet first-half, Sanchez exploded into life in the second.
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Uruguay had taken the lead in the 17th minute when Luis Suarez fed the ball into Edinson Cavani’s path and he supplied the finish.
Chile restored parity on the stroke of half-time when Sanchez begun a move through the middle and picked out Eduardo Vargas and he headed past Fernando Muslera.
Sanchez then got his name on the scoresheet on the hour when he turned Vecino on the edge of the box before beating Muslera at his near post from 20 yards with a powerful effort.
The Gunners forward then helped himself to his second and Chile’s third of the evening in the 76th minute when he shrugged off the attentions of two defenders before slotting past Muslera.
Sanchez was substituted in the 83rd minute and thankfully for Arsenal fans, he came through the game unscathed.
Luis Suarez had the chance to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the match, but he missed.
Sanchez will be hoping his exploits will convince Wenger to start him for Saturday’s game against Manchester United (12:30pm).