Lacazette out for up to 6 weeks
LONDON: Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette will be out of action for up to six weeks after undergoing an operation on his left knee, the club said on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old had an arthroscopy in London and the procedure was described as a “success” by the Gunners.
“The minor procedure was a success and he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation,” said a statement on the club’s website.
“It is envisaged that he will return to the squad within four to six weeks.”
Arsenal signed Lacazette from Lyon for a then club-record £46.5 million in July last year and he had a bright start to his career in London but has only scored once in 13 matches since December.
He is the club’s top scorer this season with nine goals and netted twice for France in their friendly against Germany in November.
The timing of his injury could not be worse for the forward, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arriving at the club last month for a new record fee of £56 million.
But Aubameyang is ineligible to play in the Europa League, leaving Arsenal short of options in attack for the first leg of the knockout tie (last 32) against Ostersunds in Sweden on Thursday.
Lacazette will also miss the second leg a week later, as well as the League Cup final against Manchester City on Feb 25.
Meanwhile, the Europa League is the only European trophy AC Milan have not won, yet there’s more at stake for the Italian powerhouse.
Once treated with contempt by heavyweights, Europe’s second tier competition carries more value since Uefa’s decision to award a Champions League qualifying place to the winners, which started with the 2015-16 season.
After a poor start to the season, heavy spending Milan are showing signs of improvement under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.
But still seventh in Serie A, winning the Europa League might be the best option for the seven-time European champions to return to the Champions League.
Milan face Bulgaria’s Ludogorets Razgrad in the round of 32 today.