Ancelotti sets injured Thiago Arsenal target

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti has set February’s Champions League clash with Arsenal as a target for Thiago Alcantara’s return to action.

Spain international Thiago picked up a thigh problem during a training session in Qatar on Saturday, ruling him out of the remainder of the camp.

But Ancelotti appears resigned to being without Thiago for Bayern’s return to domestic action following their mid-season break, instead hoping he will have the midfielder available for the Champions League last 16 first-leg clash with the Gunners on February 15.

“It is a pity, but these things can happen,” Ancelotti told reporters. 

“I hope he won’t be out for too long. Three weeks, maybe.

“We are checking it [the injury] in Munich. I hope he will be able to play against Arsenal.”

Thiago has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Bayern this season, scoring three times.

Bayern face Eupen in a friendly on Tuesday, before resuming Bundesliga duty at Freiburg on January 20.