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.
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.
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“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
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