Arsenal FC announced today that striker Alexandre Lacazette underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee, and that the surgery will keep him sidelined for a very significant period of time. Arsenal, currently in sixth place and eight points behind Chelsea for fourth, will be without the Frenchman centre forward for about a month to a month and a half.
“The minor procedure was a success and he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation,” the club statement reads. “It is envisaged that he will return to the squad within four to six weeks.”
With new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cup tied to Borussia Dortmund and Olivier Giroud sold to Chelsea in the January transfer window, the Gunners now have just Danny Welbeck at striker for their Europa League campaign.
For Lacazette, it’s a major setback to his World Cup ambitions. France is an international powerhouse, and thus competition for roster spots will be fierce. Lacazette has scored only one goal since December 2nd, and he also’s lost his starting gig to Aubameyang. He has 13 goals in 30 appearances in 2017-18 for both club and country combined.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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