Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out of the Gunners’ weekend fixture with Manchester United.
Lacazette was forced out of Arsenal’s midweek Premier League fixture with Huddersfield on Wednesday night. The French international scored the Gunners first goal in a 5-0 route of the Terriers.
Following Arsenal’s win, manager Arsene Wenger told reporters that Lacazette would be unavailable for the crunch fixture on Saturday at the Emirates.
“Lacazette has a groin problem and will be out certainly for Saturday’s game,” Wenger stated.
The Arsenal striker is eighth in scoring in the Premier League this term with seven goals. He has now tallied 25% of Arsenal’s goals in the league.
While Lacazette will miss the fixture, teammate Mesut Ozil will play. Ozil starred in the Gunners’ win on Wednesday night as he tallied a goal and two assists. Speculation is rife that Ozil will join Manchester United on a free transfer next summer.
Wenger was high on his praise for the German following his performance.
“Nobody has to convince us he’s a great football player,” Wenger said. “Everybody knows in the stadium he’s a great football player, but at the moment as well he shows he can fight.
“Our job is to encourage people to fight, but I think he always covered the distances in games, but he’s at an age where he’s more mature and understands what is more important and what is less important.
“Everybody wants to be acknowledged for his quality, and the judgements are sometimes harsh in a footballer’s job. But overall I believe the majority of people here love him, and always loved him.
“When you look at the percentage of possession during a game, no matter what the game is, he always wants the ball. He never hides, he’s always available.
“If you are dominated you touch the ball less, but when you win the ball, he always wants the ball.”
Arsenal currently sit fourth, four points behind Manchester United in the Premier League table.
