Arsenal assistant Steve Bould has provided a fitness update of Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of this weekend’s Premier League game against Stoke City.
Bould represented an-ill Arsene Wenger at the Thursday morning press conference, and during the conversation, and he provided an update on the progress of the Gunners pair.
Wilshere had to withdraw from the England national side after succumbing to a minor knee issue, but Bould confirmed that the midfielder is ‘OK’ to return to Gunners duty this weekend.
He said: “Jack trained yesterday so he’s OK. Everybody else has come back as far as we’re aware. We’ll find out a bit more this morning, but Jack was OK yesterday.”
Meanwhile, Bould confirmed that Lacazette is back in training after a lengthy layoff following a knee surgery, but he is not sure whether the Frenchman will play a role on Sunday.
He added: “That, I don’t know. He trained yesterday but whether he’ll be involved at the weekend or not, I’m not entirely sure.”
Wenger had rotated the squad prior to the Watford game earlier in the month, and when asked whether the club would prioritise the Europa League, Bould hinted that the team selection may depend on the fixture.
With a key Europa League quarter-final tie against CSKA Moscow to follow, the club need to have their best players in shape, and it may not be surprise if Lacazette gets some valuable gametime off the bench this weekend.
