Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger hints at Alexis Sanchez rest against Watford

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that he could rest Alexis Sanchez in Saturday evening's Premier League match against Watford.

Sanchez has scored five goals in Arsenal's last two games, and continued his good form with three goals in two games for Chile over the recent international break.

However, he played all 180 minutes for his country against Brazil and Peru, and is due to land back in the UK later today.

Wenger said at his pre-match press conference that he might have to "protect" Sanchez, who came off with a hip problem in the Gunners' last match, a 3-0 win over Manchester United.

"Let's see what happens and how he comes back," Wenger told reporters. "We have to see if we have to protect him in our next game or not."

With a Champions League double-header against Bayern Munich and Premier League fixtures against Everton, Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur to come in the next month, Wenger might view Saturday's match as a chance to rest his star forward ahead of a crucial run of games.