Arsene Wenger says Arsenal have a fully fit squad for their first leg Europa League quarter-final encounter against CSKA Moscow
He said French striker Alexandre Lacazette could lead the line for his team on Thursday night.
Veteran Arsenal manager Wenger, speaking to reporters at the club’s London Colney training ground, is well aware of what is at stake.
“There is some extra pressure on us to do extremely well in this competition,” he said. “That’s part of being where we are. I must say we have to see it in a way that it’s an opportunity we want to take.”
Wenger has been in charge of Arsenal since 1996 but has yet to win any European silverware with the club, although they were beaten on penalties in the 2000 UEFA Cup final, the forerunner of the Europa League, and lost to Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.
Lacazette came off the bench to score in last weekend’s win over Stoke and could enter the fray straight from the kick-off.
“Lacazette is ready to start, yes,” said Wenger. “I have not decided if he will start or not yet, but he’s available and ready to start.”
Wenger refused to reveal whether he would keep faith with David Ospina, who has been Arsenal’s first-choice Europa League goalkeeper, or go with Petr Cech, fit again following a minor groin problem.
AFP
