Arsene Wenger claims Norwich defender Ryan Bennett could have ‘killed’ Alexis Sanchez during last weekend’s 1-1 draw.

Bennett appeared to push Sanchez, who later sustained a hamstring injury which has sidelined him for around four weeks, into the Carrow Road advertising hoardings whilst the Chilean was in mid-air.

And Wenger, who confirmed midfielder Santi Cazorla is facing a race against time to play again this season due to a serious knee injury, has blasted Bennett.

Arsene Wenger was left furious with Norwich City defender Ryan Bennett after shove on Alexis Sanchez

The centre back launched the attacker into the advertising hoardings when the ball was out of play 

The pair had run off the pitch as they chased down the ball before Bennett pushed Sanchez 

‘Yes, I am unhappy with the push on Sanchez,’ said Wenger.

‘He could have killed him. First, of all it’s dangerous to have a camera there; secondly, he didn’t need to push him like he did.

‘When he was pushed into the boards on the side of the field that did not shock anybody, the injury can come from that as well.’

Arsenal are hopeful of having their star man back in time for the top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City on December 21.

But Wenger insists he will not rush the former Barcelona back given the sensitivities surrounding hamstring injuries.

Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa have suffered with recurring hamstring problems; and Wenger is understandably cautious about the South American’s pending return.

‘Every injury gives you a bigger chance to be injured again. That’s the biggest problem in our sport,’ said the Frenchman.

Sanchez reacted angrily to Bennett’s push, who went unpunished following the incident 

‘You lose confidence in your body. It takes a while. I had players who, after two or three injuries, refused to sprint.

‘Subconsciously their body tells them to be careful and they don’t even notice.

‘I will not take that gamble. A player who comes back goes always through a period where the reconstruction of the muscle takes longer than the time where they don’t play.

‘There is always a risk when a player has been out for five weeks that in the first two or three weeks he has a recurrence of the injury because nobody can tell you the risk doesn’t exist.’

Sanchez limped off during the clash at Carrow Road after suffering a hamstring injury

Meanwhile, Cazorla has flown to Spain to see knee specialist Dr Ramon Cugat amid fears he has ruptured his exterior collateral ligament.

Sanchez suffered the knee injury during the early stages of the second half in the draw against Norwich, but played on until full-time believing the problem wasn’t serious.

However, as Sportsmail revealed, Sanchez will miss at least four months and could even be sidelined until the end of the season.

Cazorla is in his homeland to see Cugat as the Gunners try to establish the extent of the injury, and whether or not their diminutive midfielder will need surgery.

Arsenal will be without playmaker Santi Cazorla, who may have ruptured his exterior collateral ligament

Wenger added: ‘It could be a rupture. Could it be the whole season? I don’t know, I have to wait until we have a complete assessment from the specialist.

‘We know his external knee ligament has been touched. I don’t understand how he carried on, I saw he was not himself.

‘I could see he was not completely but every time I asked if he was alright and he said he was OK.

‘He was even booked for diving when his knee let him down, because he could not change direction.’

The Spaniard is an integral part to the Arsenal line-up and his absence will be a real blow for the Gunners