Arsenal will be without forward Alexis Sanchez for the entire festive period after he received a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury, manager Arsene Wenger revealed on Monday.

"Sanchez, I think he will be back around January 10. For the Christmas period, don't count him," Wenger told reporters at the Emirates Stadium after his side's 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Sanchez had been due to make his return against City after missing three games with a hamstring problem sustained in the 1-1 draw at Norwich City, but Wenger said he had suffered a "very slight" setback in training.

"He was planned to be on the bench tonight (Monday) and he's so keen that he got a little pain," Wenger said. "We didn't take a gamble at all."

Arsenal's win left them two points below Premier League leaders Leicester City and four points above third-place Manchester City.

Chile international Sanchez looks set to miss league games against Southampton, Bournemouth and Newcastle United, as well as Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie at home to Sunderland on January 9.