This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
French striker Alexandre Lacazette is in a tight spot as he battles to regain full fitness ahead of Arsenal's Premier League opener against Newcastle United at Saint James' Park on August 11.
According to reports, Lacazette suffered an ankle injury during the Gunners' 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the Emirates Cup final last weekend.
Despite the setback, Lacazette joined his teammates for warm-down training at the club's London Colney headquarters earlier this week, sparking hopes that he might be back in time for the Premier League opener.
His striking partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shared a video on social media showing Lacazette working out at the gym, sans protective boots, which Arsenal insisted he wore for precautionary measures.
However, Lacazette's participation in the Gunners' final preseason clash against Barcelona at the Camp Nou this weekend remains uncertain.
Unai Emery, the Arsenal manager, expressed confidence that Lacazette would be back in time for the Premier League opener, saying, "We are thinking it's not serious." He added, "He tried to continue but he decided with the doctor and with me that as it was a pre-season game it was better to take no more risks."
Other players, including Mesut Ozil and Sead Kolasinac, who were omitted from Sunday's game, also joined Lacazette at the training ground.
Source: Tuko.co.ke
