Alexandre Lacazette has been missing from Arsenal training this week due to “private reasons,” according to manager Mikel Arteta.
The Frenchman was not seen with his teammates on Wednesday or Thursday, casting doubt on his readiness for Saturday’s Premier League match against Southampton.
Lacazette was not believed to be injured, and Arteta expects the Arsenal captain to be fit for Saturday’s trip to St Mary’s.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta said: “There are private reasons that I can’t comment on but I have no other team news apart from the guys we discussed. We will see if he’s available. It’s a good possibility that that’s the case.”
Lacazette has four Premier League goals in 2021-22 and has not scored from open play in the top tier since December’s 3-0 victory against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side at the Emirates.
The 30-year-old, though, loves to play Southampton over any other English club, and he has a solid record versus the Saints, with five goals and three assists in eight Premier League games.
