Arsenal fans have reacted to the news that striker Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out for up to six weeks with injury.
The club confirmed their £52 million summer signing has undergone an arthroscopy on his left knee in London on Tuesday morning.
Arsenal said: “The minor procedure was a success and he will now undergo a period of rehabilitation.
“It is envisaged that he will return to the squad within four to six weeks.”
The injury however poses a difficult dilemma for the Gunners, as it leaves them short of options for the Europa League.
With Lacazette out, and Aubameyang ineligible due to playing in the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund earlier this season – it leaves only Danny Welbeck and Eddie Nketiah as the club’s only strikers available in the competition.
Arsene Wenger’s men take on Osterund tonight in the last-32.
The competition has been seen as Arsenal’s last hope of securing Champions League football next season, with the Gunners currently eight points off the top four, and Lacazette’s injury woes have now added to an already difficult situation at The Emirates.
Add into that mix the sale of Olivier Giroud to Chelsea on deadline day last month, and you have a concoction not many Arsenal fans are happy with …
https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/963419516331061248
So, Lacazette is out injured for 4 – 6 weeks and Aubameyang is not eligible in the Europa League. We sold Giroud so that means we're left with Welbeck up front. Brilliant. Arsenal Football club ladies and gentlemen. It's like we try to out-banter ourselves every season.
— Kymberly (@KMalshire) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/WelBeast/status/963419963762626560
https://twitter.com/RedLacazette9/status/963433267335696384
Lacazette out for 4-6 weeks after knee surgery. Wow, winning the Europa League just became a bit more difficult.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) February 13, 2018
Only at Arsenal could your European striking options go from Lacazette, Giroud, Welbeck & Nketiah to Welbeck & Nketiah alone in the space of 15 days.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) February 14, 2018
Lacazette out for up to six weeks…
Arsenal fans… pic.twitter.com/EWw44X5AMk
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 13, 2018
Can you believe that we've sold all our experienced players who can play up front. We actually sign a new striker but he's cup tied. Lacazette gets injured so it means the only available option is Welbeck who slips at the best of times let alone on a pitch covered in snow.
— LUCY. (@afclucyyy) February 13, 2018
Only Arsenal could have two top strikers like Aubameayng & Lacazette and not get to play any of them in the Europa League
— ArsenalCreator (@ArsenalCreator1) February 13, 2018