Alexis Sanchez: Injured Arsenal forward ruled OUT of north London derby against Tottenham, confirms Arsene Wenger

Sanchez has scored 18 goals for the Gunners this season

Alexis Sanchez will not be playing in the north London derby (Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alexis Sanchez is out of the north London derby against Tottenham on Saturday. The Chile international, who has excelled for the Gunners this season, has not recovered from a hamstring injury

"The latest is that Alexis is not ready [for Saturday]," Wenger said today.

"He is not far away, the Leicester game [on Tuesday night] is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet! He is training but it's light training.

Sanchez, 26, is the Gunners' top scorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions. While Sanchez will not be playing, Danny Welbeck is set to make his return from a thigh injury. He has been out since late December.

"Welbeck is back in the group," Wenger said. "Apart from that we have the same squad available as last week."