Published: 17 December, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

ALEXIS Sanchez is aiming to give Arsenal fans an early Christmas present by declaring himself fit to face Manchester City in Monday night’s Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium. 

The 26-year-old returned to training at the beginning of this week for the first time since limping out of the Gunners’ 1-1 draw away at Norwich on November 29 with a hamstring strain. 

Arsene Wenger said after Sunday’s win at Aston Villa it was “unlikely” Sanchez would be available for the game against City. But the Arsenal manager hinted that a decision would be taken as late as possible to give the Chilean attacker every chance of making the game. 

“Of our injured players, the closest to having a chance to face City on Monday is Alexis,” said Wenger. “Medically, my people think he will not be ready in time – but Alexis being Alexis, you just never know.” 

Monday’s clash against title rivals Manchester City is about more than just points for shot-stopper Petr Cech, who will be hoping to become an “impossible” record breaker. 

The former Chelsea goalkeeper equalled David James’s record of 169 clean sheets against Aston Villa on Sunday, and will set a new mark with his next Premier League shut-out. 

“I’m not really into the records and the individual trophies,” Cech told Arsenal Player. “But some achievements you cannot ignore and to be in a position where I can break the all-time clean-sheet record is something that I never thought I would be able to do. 

“When I came over to England, people started talking about the clean sheets and the records, and I thought 169 was impossible. I would have to be here a long time, play every game, and you don’t get a clean sheet in every game. The fact that I managed to come to that point is a great achievement. 

“As a player you try to achieve something that people remember you for,” he added. “Not only that you score one goal or make one good save, you want to set the example that this is not a one-off season or that you’re a one-game wonder.

“You want to compete and perform every single game, and show that you can stay consistent and at the top level as long as possible.”