Training Update: Key Starter Missing from Arsenal Squad

If there is a critical time for Arsenal to secure three points, it would be this Saturday against Southampton. Southampton is in abysmal form, and defensively they’ve conceded 11 goals in their last three matches. However, Arsenal has struggled mightily to create scoring chances since losing Kieran Tierney before the Crystal Palace match and Thomas Partey in the second half of the same game.

As training continued this week, it’s reported by Connor Humm that Alexandre Lacazette has not featured in back-to-back training sessions. The reasons behind this are still unclear, but an outlying statistic is how poor Lacazette’s form is in front of goal. If his absence is because of his form, this will point to every sign that Eddie Nketiah will be starting against the Saints.

Based on Arteta’s past managerial decisions, it would be surprising to take Lacazette out of training altogether. However, even with the Aubameyang situation, it was reported that he was training alone because it was his choice and not Arteta’s. So there could be a knock, illness, or personal matter for Lacazette’s absence. Regardless, it’s still concerning that now four starters (Takehiro Tomiyasu, Tierney, Partey, and now Lacazette) are at the potential of not featuring in Arteta’s starting lineup against Southampton.

Details of Lacazette’s absence from training should become more transparent when Arteta speaks to the media ahead of the game. Arsenal play Southampton on the road at 10 am eastern. The game can be seen on USA Network or NBC’s streaming app, Peacock.