Europa League: Arsenal vs. CSKA Moscow team news and TV details
Alexandre Lacazette may start in quarter-final first leg at the Emirates
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has yet to decide his line-up for tonight’s Europa League clash against CSKA Moscow - but says striker Alexandre Lacazette is ready to start.
The French player, who signed from Lyon in July last year, will compete with Danny Welbeck for the striker role, which is free because Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied. Lacazette has been out with a knee injury but Wenger says he is now back to full fitness after undergoing surgery.
Quoted by The Guardian, Wenger said: “Lacazette is ready to start. I have not decided whether he will but he is available and ready to start.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“I realise now that he was not himself for a while. That explains why his goals dried out. He was always adamant - ‘I’m OK, I’m OK’ - but players are like that.
“It was not traumatic, he was a good player but I think in the last seven, eight games he played, he was not completely free with his knee. Unfortunately, in our job you need your body and that’s why when you are not 100% you cannot play well.”
According to the BBC, the Arsenal manager is also yet to decide if David Ospina or Petr Cech will play in goal tonight against the Russian side.
Wenger expects a tough match against CSKA, who beat Lyon in the last-16 of the Europa League. “Russian teams always have good technical level,” he added. “Personally, I have always had difficult games against Russian teams, and CSKA are a strong side.
“I watched the match they played in Lyon and they played extremely well and created many chances. For me, this tie is 50-50.”
The London Evening Standard reports that CSKA will be without the injured Viktor Vasin, Astemir Gordyushenko and Mario Fernandes, while Kirill Nababkin is suspended.
Arsenal vs. CSKA Moscow
- When: tonight
- Kick-off time: 8.05pm
- Where: Emirates Stadium
- How to watch on TV: the match is live on BT Sport 2
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why more and more adults are reaching for soft toys
Under The Radar Does the popularity of the Squishmallow show Gen Z are 'scared to grow up'?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tottenham vs. Arsenal predictions: race for the Premier League top four
feature Expect a ‘seismic’ north London derby with Champions League qualification on the line
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal exile: footballing reasons or political?
In Depth German playmaker questions the club’s loyalty after omission from the Premier League squad
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal seal their biggest signing in years
In Depth Gunners fans and club legends celebrate the skipper’s new three-year deal
By Mike Starling Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published