Arsenal team news update: Key man to miss Man Utd trip but defender available

Arsenal will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night.

The Gunners have registered victories against Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest over the past eight days but Unai Emery will be expecting a much tougher test against United.

Unfortunately for the Arsenal boss he’ll have to make do without one of his key players on Monday as Alexandre Lacazette remains on the sidelines with an ankle injury that’s hampered him all season.

The Frenchman picked up the issue in pre-season and played through the pain during Arsenal’s opening few matches but it was decided during the international break earlier this month that Lacazette needed a prolonged period of rest to fully overcome the injury.

The 28-year-old has already missed Arsenal’s last four matches and will sit out the trip to Old Trafford as he continues his rehabilitation with the aim of returning to action at some point in October.

Arsenal will also be without youngster Emile Smith Rowe against Man Utd after he suffered concussion following a clash of heads during the 5-0 Carabao Cup victory over Nottingham Forest in midweek.

However, Dinos Mavropanos is available again for the north Londoners after returning to full first team training following a serious groin injury that’s plagued the Greek international throughout 2019.

An update on Arsenal.com confirmed:

Alex Lacazette
Left ankle. Alex continues to rehabilitate the injury to his left ankle and is likely to be back in action in October.

Emile Smith Rowe
Substituted just before half time on Tuesday as a precaution after a collision. Continues to be assessed and will follow a graded return back into full training.

Dinos Mavropanos
Now back in full training with the first-team squad and available for selection.

Arsenal were boosted by the return of Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney on Tuesday night as they all made their first team returns following lengthy injuries so they could be in the squad against Man Utd.

The Gunners head to Old Trafford sitting fourth in the Premier League table – three points ahead of eighth-placed Man Utd – so they’ll be looking to extend their advantage with victory over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.