Alexis Sanchez: Arsenal forward's ankle in terrible state - Arsene Wenger

Sanchez scored Arsenal's only goal at West Brom on Saturday - his 22nd of the season

Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez's right ankle is in "an absolutely terrible state" and he may have ligament damage, says manager Arsene Wenger.

The Chile international was substituted with 12 minutes left of Saturday's 3-1 defeat by West Brom.

Sanchez was injured in the first half, when he was fouled by James McClean.

"He should not have played in the second half but he insisted that he wanted to," Wenger said. "In the end we had to take him off."

Arsenal's next match is at home to Manchester City in the league on 2 April, but Sanchez is in Chile's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Venezuela, the first of which is on Thursday.

Asked whether Sanchez would be fit to play for his country, Wenger said: "If it's only a kick, he will play. If the ligament is damaged, he will not play."

Arsenal lost goalkeeper Petr Cech to a calf injury at The Hawthorns as they suffered their fourth defeat in five league games.

They are now five points behind fourth-placed Liverpool in fifth, albeit with a game in hand.

Speaking after Saturday's match, Wenger said he has already decided whether he will remain at the club he has managed since 1996.

"I know what I will do," said Wenger. "You will know soon."