Mikel Arteta has been handed a double fitness blow ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Everton.
Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been ruled out of the game at the Emirates Stadium as he recovers from a bout of malaria and he's been joined on the sidelines by fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman suffered a hamstring injury during last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Fulham and Arteta was left sweating on an outcome of a scan for the 29-year-old.
"We don't know yet. He felt his hamstring," Arteta said after the game. "We will have to see. He will have a scan probably on Tuesday to see the extent of the injury and the timeline to it."
Well, the news is not great for the Arsenal manager as an update on the club's official website reads:
"Alex Lacazette. Left hamstring. Alex has sustained a strain to his left hamstring and will be unavailable for Friday’s match against Everton.
"He will continue to work with the medical team and will be assessed ahead of next week’s matches.
"Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Auba continues to recover after contracting malaria on international duty.
"Auba will be unavailable for Friday’s match against Everton, but is hoping to resume light training by the end of this week."
Being without Aubameyang and Lacazette leaves Arteta with a big decision to make for the visit of the Toffees, but he's been given team selection advice by some Arsenal fans.
The popular choice - and somewhat of a surprise call - is for Folarin Balogun to be handed his Premier League debut over Eddie Nketiah who climbed off the bench to rescue a point against Fulham.
Take a look at what's been said on Twitter...
@wow said: "I want a 4-3-3 Leno, Chambers (RB) Gabriel and Holding (CB) Xhaka (LB) Partey ESR Ceballos (CM) Saka (RW) Martinelli (LW) and Balogun up top. For the game against Everton."
@RobbieJericho said: "Cometh the hour @fbalogun67."
@afcgilberto said: "Hopefully either Martinelli or Balogun are played up front with both Auba and Laca out."
