Arsenal have been handed a welcome fitness boost ahead of the international break with the news that the injury that forced Alexandre Lacazette off during their 2-2 draw in the north London derby is less significant than had initially been feared.
Lacazette, who has been struggling with an ankle injury early in the season, was withdrawn in the 67th minute of the game against Tottenham with the Gunners trailing 2-1.
Though the move was greeted with boos by the Emirates crowd it subsequently emerged that Lacazette had asked to be withdrawn.
It was initially feared that he had suffered a hamstring injury but it is now understood that it was cramp that forced the striker off and there are no serious fears over his fitness.
As such he is likely to be available to Unai Emery as he drills his squad over the international break, where key first-team players including Mesut Ozil, Matteo Guendouzi and Rob Holding will be available to the Spaniard.
Speaking after the game, in which goals from Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the Gunners battle back from a two goal deficit, Emery said: “We can be very proud of our response and also the atmosphere we created, and how our supporters pushed us to get back in the game after we scored, to get the second goal and then to have chances to score a third goal.
“Above all, the result, we deserved more.
“We learned and we did well in the second half. We continued to get the ball, we continued to take a lot of corners, taking a lot of shots, but we didn't get the positions to score the goal.
“I think we deserved a third goal.”
