• Premier League

Sanchez on the bench for Arsenal's trip to Aston Villa

ESPN staff
September 20, 2014
Alexis Sanchez's late replacement suggests he was hurt during the warm-up © Getty Images
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Alexis Sanchez has been replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Arsenal's starting line-up at Aston Villa - just 40 minutes before kick-off.

A tweet from the club sparked fears of an injury to their signature summer signing, but it was later revealed it was a misprint in the initial team sheet - and Oxlade-Chamberlain was always meant to start.

Sanchez will start among the substitutes, alongside Jack Wilshere who has recovered from an ankle injury suffered in Tuesday's defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Wenger had initially admitted his concern over the injury, given Wilshere's history with ankle problems, but revealed on Friday that he had recovered and was expected to play at Villa Park.

Wilshere has had to settle for a place on the bench, however, with Santi Cazorla coming into midfield, while Calum Chambers returns from illness at right-back to bolster Arsenal's defence.

Villa can go top of the Premier League if they beat Arsenal with Chelsea not playing until Sunday, when they travel to Manchester City.

Aston Villa starting XI: Guzan, Senderos, Hutton, Clark, Cissokho, Delph, Westwood, Cleverley, Richardson, Weimann, Agbonlahor

Substitutes: Given, Bacuna, Okore, Sanchez, Grealish, Lowton, N'Zogbia

Arsenal starting XI: Szczesny, Chambers, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Cazorla, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck

Substitutes: Ospina, Coquelin, Diaby, Rosicky, Wilshere, Podolski, Sanchez

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