Arsenal's clash against Liverpool "too soon" for Alexis Sanchez

Arsenal's clash against Liverpool on Wednesday has "come too soon" for Alexis Sanchez, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The Chile international has been on the sidelines since the end of November with a hamstring injury.

While Wenger is expected to welcome back a handful of injured players over the coming weeks, Sanchez may have to wait until Sunday's trip to Stoke City to return to the pitch.

In Monday's press conference, Wenger told reporters: "[Mesut] Ozil and [Mathieu] Flamini will be available. [David] Ospina faces tests after not being available on Saturday. Liverpool will come too soon for Alexis Sanchez but he may be back for Stoke.

"He's always keen to play but if you listen to Alexis, he's always keen to play even when injured. We try to be cautious, but with a muscular injury you never know how big the risk is, [but] he's very very close."

Arsenal currently lead the way in the Premier League table, with a two-point advantage over second-placed Leicester City.