Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has today gone back on his claims that talisman, Alexis Sanchez, will be out for Arsenal’s North London Derby and has instead stated that the Chilean is keen to play this weekend.

Sanchez has been out for the last week with a hamstring injury and was believed to be still out for the Tottenham game; however Wenger has today noted that the forward is eager to play the game at the weekend. In a press conference today, he revealed:

"He wants to play, he's so keen.”

"[Telling him he’s not playing] is not easy! He wants to play of course. He’s very keen and thinks he can even defy the medical people because he’s so keen.”

"I don’t know yet [if he could feature], I need medical advice on that and need as well to see what he can do in training."

The manager also noted that if Sanchez is indeed out for the game, Arsenal have more than enough cover with returning attacking players such as Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil.

"We have enough offensive power. We don't need to worry about being short on that front."

Wenger defends Wilshere

Wenger was busy defending injured Arsenal midfielder, Jack Wilshere today in a press conference, stating that he is not a smoker.

Wilshere had been pictured with a shisha pipe last weekend which has led to many reports and criticism toward the England international.

Wenger stated that he has had words with Wilshere about the issue:

"I've spoken to him about that. He's not a smoker. He's of course sorry about what happened.

"When he is here, he has to follow the rules. This photo has been taken at half past 12 after the Super Bowl. I don’t know what happened really. It's not of big interest.

"Away from the club, it is his responsibility to master his life. He had the day off the next day and went out to watch the Super Bowl.”

"You have been 20 (years old), sometimes you need to ease the pressure. Today, everywhere you go people make photos, but one second of your life does not define who you are.”

For me anyway, this news is getting repetitive with Wilshere. You don’t see this behaviour from other top players in the league. I honestly believe Wenger should enforce a harsher punishment on the players is this happens again. It makes the club look somewhat unprofessional and Wenger look silly. He should be talking about the upcoming match, not trying to defend his players for smoking.