Wenger may need to put faith in Lacazette for derby

Mourinho keen to see out Man U contract

LONDON, Nov 16, (RTRS): Arsenal’s record signing Alexandre Lacazette has not been a certain starter this season and will be desperate to prove his worth in their Premier League derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Arsenal head into the match in sixth place, four points adrift of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham in third and needing victory to stay in touch with leaders Manchester City.

Defeat to their north London rivals would leave Arsenal’s title hopes hanging by a thread, but there is no guarantee that manager Arsene Wenger will put his trust in his 47 million pounds ($62 million) close season signing to lead the line.

Lacazette has scored six goals in his debut campaign in England, yet has only once played a full 90 minutes for the club.

The 26-year-old came on as a substitute in the defeat by Manchester City before the international break, scoring a goal that briefly brought his side back into contention.

He also did not start the humbling 4-0 loss at Liverpool earlier in the season.

Yet when he has started, the Frenchman, who scored twice for his country in a friendly against Germany on Tuesday, has shown he is not just a goalscorer, particularly in the 0-0 draw with champions Chelsea in September.

Lacazette began the match with Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck in attack, keeping constant pressure on Chelsea’s defence and nullifying their ability to pass into midfield.

Former Arsenal great Ian Wright believes it is time that Lacazette was allowed to shine.

“If I had him in my squad he would start literally every game. He takes half chances, he finishes well with both feet and I think now he is ready to be let loose,” he told the Premier League’s website.

“The more he plays, the more consistently he plays for the duration of the game, the more goals he is going to score.”

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been ruled out of Saturday’s Premier League derby against Tottenham Hotspur due to a thigh injury, Wenger said on Thursday.

Giroud, who has scored once in 10 league appearances this season, netted in France’s friendly win over Wales last Friday.

“Giroud picked up an injury, I don’t think he will be available,” Wenger told reporters. “It’s short term, we have to assess him on Monday.”

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck (groin) and defender Shkodran Mustafi (thigh) will undergo late fitness tests.

Wenger said Santi Cazorla’s injury was the worst he had seen with the Spaniard sidelined since last October after suffering multiple infections following surgery on his right heel.

Wenger is hopeful the 32-year-old midfielder will return in January.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has refused to commit his long-term future at Old Trafford, saying he is focused on improving the team and winning the Premier League title before the end of his three-year contract.

The 54-year-old Portuguese is nearing the halfway point of his deal and guided United to the League Cup and Europa League titles in his first season.