Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette winning fight to be fit for Sheff Utd clash
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE could hand Arsenal boss Unai Emery a major fitness boost ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Sheffield United on Monday night.
The French striker has been missing since September 1 with a pesky ankle injury – but could be in line to appear at Bramall Lane after returning to training.
The 28-year-old had made a good start to the season, scoring in the 2-1 home win over Burnley, as well as the 2-2 North London derby draw with Tottenham.
After the Spurs match, the Gunners released a statement on Lacazette, saying: “After assessments to an ongoing ankle issue, we have advised that Alex will need to rest and strengthen his ankle to regain full fitness.
“Alex has been playing through this injury for several weeks. He is likely to be back in action in October.”
Pictures revealed that Lacazette had begun training in the gym prior to the Manchester United match on September 30 – sparking rumours among Arsenal fans that he could be involved at Old Trafford.
It proved to be too soon for him though, as the Gunners drew 1-1 with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s beleaguered side.
The international break came at a good time for the ex Lyon forward to step up his recovery, however.
And Kieran Tierney sent fans into overdrive when he posted an Instagram snap of the pair in training last week.
Alongside a laughing emoji, the 22-year-old Scot wrote “Wagwan @lacazettealex.”
Lacazette’s return will be most welcomed by boss Unai Emery, with fellow attacker Nicolas Pepe having struggled to settle in to life at the Emirates in his early Arsenal career.
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Lacazette has bizarrely been linked with Zenit Saint Petersburg recently, with a Russian agent claiming that he had been offered to them in the summer, with a £61million release clause.
Dmitry Cheltsov told Sports Business Gazeta: “I offered Alexandre Lacazette to Zenit. Their sporting director Javier Ribalta said to me: ‘Are you crazy? His release clause is €68m.’
“I told him you can negotiate with Arsenal. I am sure they will be ready to accept something between €50m and €55m. His salary would be €7-8m after tax.”