Alexis Sanchez to miss start of Premier League season as Arsene Wenger won't rush star

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Alexis Sanchez scored winning penalty in Copa America final
Sanchez is taking a holiday ahead of the start of the new season
But Arsene Wenger will not rush him back to be ready for opener
Arsenal play Community Shield on August 2, Sanchez returns next day
Chile forward will also miss Premier League game against West Ham

Published: 03:40 EST, 14 July 2015 | Updated: 18:39 EST, 14 July 2015

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Arsene Wenger has confirmed Alexis Sanchez will miss the FA Community Shield and Arsenal's first game of the Barclays Premier League campaign against West Ham.

Sanchez is enjoying a well-earned holiday after a long season which ended with him converting the winning penalty in the Copa America final as Chile became champions of South America for the first time.

He will report for pre-season on the day after Arsenal meet Chelsea at Wembley and less than a week before the Premier League opener, another London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring the winning penalty to earn his side their first ever Copa America title

Sanchez had a superb summer but his exploits in Chile see him miss the start of the Premier League season

Alexis Sanchez scores Chile's winning penalty in Copa America

Wenger said: 'He will be back on August 3 and usually it takes three weeks to be competitive. With Alexis it could be a little bit less. He will certainly miss the first game.

'He went into the Copa America a little bit jaded but when he had to turn up in the final he was there, always dangerous, always provoking opponents and the one with the guts to take the final penalty.

'He contributed to a historic achievement. It is something special they have done and he was a big part of it.'

The Chilean star was a key player for Arsenal last season as they won the FA Cup and finished third

Sanchez dinks home the winning penalty and is now enjoying a well-deserved holiday ahead of the season

The 26-year-old has played almost non-stop for two years, including last summer's World Cup

Wenger: Oxlade Chamberlain and Sanchez can play in same team

Sanchez made 52 appearances for Arsenal in an impressive debut season in England, following his £30million transfer from Barcelona.

Wenger spoke often of burnout and but rarely rested him and will take this chance to give him a complete break, trusting the rest of his squad not to stumble.

Arsenal started last season without their German World Cup winners and made a poor start, which effectively ruled them out of the title race despite a fluent finish.

Wenger will target a return for Sanchez at Crystal Palace on August 16.