Mikel Arteta has given an explanation as to why Alexandre Lacazette was absent from training earlier this week ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday.
The Frenchman has been in a poor run of form in front of goal that has seen him fail to score from open play since the reverse fixture against Saints in December, but has continued to start as the Gunners main centre forward since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled from the squad in the build up to that match.
As footage was released earlier this week of Arsenal training at London Colney ahead of this weekend's clash at St. Mary's it became evident that Lacazette was not involved. And now Arteta has confirmed his absence and revealed why he was unable to make the session.
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When asked for a general team news update after providing the latest on injuries to Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney, the Gunners boss gave a slightly closed answer. "There are private reasons that I can’t comment on," Arteta said. "But I have no other team news apart from the guys we discussed."
This has of course raised questions over whether Lacazette will be available for the Premier League clash this weekend. When pressed on that Arteta was able to give a slightly more positive answer. "We will see if he’s available," the Spaniard said. "It’s a good possibility that that’s the case."
When it comes to options Arsenal have to replace Lacazette, they have a few. Eddie Nketiah is the only other orthodox striker in the squad, although Gabriel Martinelli has played there before. Emile Smith Rowe has also been used as a false nine in the past, but Arteta seemed to indicate that he doesn't feel the England international is ready to return to the position just yet.
"He's not been completely fit and training to play every game but it's a possibility," Arteta told football.london . "It's a position that I think he can fill in the future, but he needs training and he needs experience in it."
