Emery ‘optimistic’ over Lacazette fitness – but who could replace him against Newcastle if he isn’t risked?

Alexandre Lacazette could return from injury for the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Newcastle United on Sunday.

The French forward limped off early on against Lyon at the end of last month with an ankle problem, missing the next two pre-season fixtures against Angers and Barcelona as a result.

However, Unai Emery, talking to the media following the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, cited by the Metro, said:

It’s one process. Hopefully, he could be available for the match against Newcastle.

The doctors, they are optimistic. We are going to wait.

The next days are going to be very important to see how he is going to progress with his injury. But I am really, really happy with other players also.

If the 28-year-old isn’t risked for the curtain-raiser, who could Emery turn to?

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The first obvious choice would be to hand Nicolas Pepe a first taste of action in an Arsenal shirt.

The Ivorian was left in London for the recent trip to Barcelona, however, he is likely to feature at some point on Sunday, potentially from the off.

Another option for Emery could be to give talented youngster Reiss Nelson a start. The 19-year-old showcased his talents with an impressive loan spell with Hoffenheim last season and has been a regular in the Gunners’ pre-season fixtures.

Alternatively, the Spaniard could also go with a surprise start for either Eddie Nketiah or Bukayo Saka, two more exciting teenagers who have shown plenty of promise in recent weeks.

If experience is what Emery is after, he may well decide to use Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a wide role.

A 4-2-3-1 formation looks like the system Emery will go with at St James’ Park against a newly-shaped Newcastle side, and if Lacazette isn’t fit enough to start, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will more than likely lead the line, leaving Emery with plenty of exciting options out wide.