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Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette will return to training next week as he looks to make his first-team after the international break. Lacazette hasn’t been seen in action for the Gunners since the 2-2 draw with Tottenham – a match in which in scored – with the club confirming afterwards he would need a period of rehabilitation to combat an ankle injury.
The north London outfit said the former Lyon man been playing through an injury but that it had become too much to play through, ruling the striker out until mid-October. He was starting to find some solid form prior to the injury, hitting two goals in three games, and Gunners fans will be desperate to have him back in the fold.
Reports claim that he will take part in training next week in the hope of being fit and ready to start against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on October 21. If he does come through in time then Unai Emery could have a fully fit squad to choose from for the first time this season.
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Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney have been sidelined in the early stages of the term but they recently came back into the mix, while Dani Ceballos, Emile Smith-Rowe and Mesut Ozil are understood to be ok after minor knocks. Lacazette scored 13 Premier League goals last season and is clearly a key figure for the north London side, so his availability will be regarded as a huge positive.
However, Arsenal have coped well in his absence and they currently sit third in the Premier League after eight matches. Indeed, they have only tasted defeat once in the league, falling to a 3-1 defeat at Anfield, and trail defending champions Manchester City by just one point.
When the 28-year-old does return, Emery will have a big decision to make as to whether to bring him straight back into the team. Bukayo Saka has been given a run in the team recently in Lacazette’s absence and has performed well, while Nicolas Pepe, as the club’s record signing, is unlikely to be dropped despite his recent poor showings.
