Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez INCLUDED in Chile squad for World Cup qualifiers... despite missing Premier League opener with injury
- Alexis Sanchez is in the Chile squad for their games with Paraguay and Bolivia
- The forward is set to miss Arsenal's trip to Stoke on Saturday through injury
- He did not feature in the Community Shield or their league opener with Leicester
- Sanchez has been linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer
Chile have included Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez in their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia, coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said on Thursday.
Sanchez has yet to play for his English Premier League club Arsenal this season after straining an abdominal muscle.
He missed the Community Shield victory over Chelsea in the season curtain-raiser plus the league opener with Leicester City and is expected to be out of Saturday's trip to Stoke City.
![Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has been included in the Chile squad for upcoming qualifiers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/18/00/4354C93300000578-0-image-m-35_1503013597329.jpg)
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez has been included in the Chile squad for upcoming qualifiers
![The 28-year-old has so far missed all of Arsenal's games this season with an abdominal injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/18/00/432FF79200000578-0-image-a-33_1503013589729.jpg)
The 28-year-old has so far missed all of Arsenal's games this season with an abdominal injury
Sanchez was one of 19 overseas players named in Pizzi's squad, which will be boosted by home-based players.
Earlier on Thursday, Sanchez was named as one of the 24 players in contention for the Best FIFA Men's Player award along with Chile team mate Arturo Vidal.
Chile host Paraguay on Aug. 31 and face Bolivia in La Paz five days later. They are fourth in the standings for the South American qualifying spots for the 2018 tournament in Russia, one point ahead of Argentina and two clear of Ecuador.
The top four qualify automatically for the finals, while the fifth-placed side go into a playoff with a team from Oceania.
![But Sanchez could feature for his country in upcoming qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/18/00/434547ED00000578-0-image-a-34_1503013593152.jpg)
But Sanchez could feature for his country in upcoming qualifiers against Paraguay and Bolivia
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