Wenger denies sending message to Sanchez with rare Cup start

Arsenal manager ArseneWengerdenied trying to send amessageto AlexisSanchez by playing him in the LeagueCupand Europa League and says midweek minutes have helped the Chilean close in on full fitness after an injury-disrupted pre-season.

The striker made his first appearance in the LeagueCupsince September 2015 on Wednesday, playing a full 90 minutes for only the second time this season as Arsenal beat third-tier Doncaster Rovers 1-0 at home.

The 28-year-old failed to secure a move away from the Emirates in the transfer window and injury and illness have limited his involvement to just one other full match - in the Europa League against FC Cologne.

"Look, there's no disguised attitude on my side,"Wengertold reporters on Thursday when asked if he was trying to send amessagetoSanchezby notstarting him in Arsenal's last two Premier League matches against Chelsea and Bournemouth.

"I just try to get him back to full fitness and for me, the Europa League and LeagueCupare important as well.

"AlexisSanchezhas been out injured and I thought he was still a bit short physically. I played him last night to give him competition.... I left him on for 90 minutes because I wanted him to have a real go."

Arsenal, who are 12th in the league after an indifferentstartto the season in which they have won twice and drawn once in their first five games, host 10th-placed West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

West Brom has not won a point at the Emirates since 2010, butWengeris expecting a strong defensive performance from Tony Pulis' side.

"They have the culture of the Premier League, a manager who knows how the league works. They are very strong on set pieces, solid defensively - it's tough to score against them," he added.

Mesut Ozil is back in training after missing Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Chelsea in their last league outing with a knee injury, but striker Danny Welbeck (groin) and defender Calum Chambers (hip) are out until after next month's international break.