Lacazette in fitness race for big kick-off

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE is struggling to be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League opener at Newcastle on Sunday. The France striker was not available for his club’s final pre-season clash last night against Barcelona due to the ankle injury he sustained against Lyon last Sunday. Having missed Wednesday’s victory over Angers, Lacazette (below) was an absentee again in the Nou Camp, where 98,000 spectators saw Barcelona win 2-1, through an Ainsley Maitland-Niles owngoal and late winner from Luis Suarez, after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Arsenal a first-half lead. Lacazette’s exclusion is said to have been a precautionary measure, with Arsenal manager Unai Emery hopeful of having his forward ready for the game against Steve Bruce’s men. With £72million record signing Nicolas Pepe not expected to be fit for next weekend’s season kick-off, Emery is desperate for Lacazette to be available. Meanwhile, the Gunners are still working to sign Celtic left back Kieran Tierney, and there was speculation in Spain last night linking the club with Samuel Umtiti, the Barcelona centre half.