Arsene Wenger: 'Alexis Sanchez was short of preparation'

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that a number of key Arsenal players missed the club's Community Shield win over Chelsea due to being "short of preparation".

Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey were among several Gunners men given a watching brief on Sunday as the North Londoners triumphed on penalties at Wembley Stadium.

The Chile international only returned to pre-season training on Tuesday following his involvement in the Confederations Cup.

Asked by Sky Sports News whether the absentees would feature against Leicester City on Friday night, Wenger said: "Overall, we will see.

"I left them all out because some are short of preparation like Alexis Sanchez.

"Mesut had a kick on his ankle which was swollen and he couldn't practise yesterday. He has a little chance to play on Friday night. Ramsey has a chance but I think he could be short as well."

Sanchez is contracted to Arsenal until the summer of 2018 and is yet to pen a new deal at the Emirates.