Wenger is full of hope

ARSENE Weng er is expecting to see the best of Alexandre Lacazette as the striker returns from a knee injury in time to lead the l i n e i n A rs e n a l ’s Europa League quarterfinal clash against CSKA Moscow at the Emirates tonight.

The 26-year-old France international did not hit the ground running at the Emirates following his move from Lyon last summer for a then clubrecord fee.

Lacazette scored nine goals in 29 appearances before requiring surgery on a knee problem after the 1-0 defeat toTottenham on February 10.

That was the only time he was able to partner deadline-day signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was purchased for a higher fee in January l eading t o questions over Lacazette’s long-term prospects at Arsenal.

The pair were reunited in attack against Stoke on Sunday as Lacaz ette returned from his surgery to score off the bench in a 3-0 win, Aubameyang unselfishly passing up the chance of a hat-trick to allow his team-mate to mark his comeback with a goal.

Arsenal now face CSKA knowing that winning the Europa League i s their chance of securing a Champions League return, given they are 13 points adrift of the Premier League top-four.

Aubameyang is cup-tied in Europe so, in Lacazette’s absence, Danny Welbeck has been the only recognised experienced striker available to Wenger.

He hit a brace to see off AC Milan in the last round but is likely to lose his place to Lacazette.

Arsene Wenger