Why Alexandre Lacazette is missing for Arsenal vs Southampton

Arsenal take on Southampton at St Mary’s at 3 pm UK time on Saturday.

The match is a must-win for Arsenal if they are to have any hope of securing a top-four berth this season.

Southampton are 14^th in the league with 36 points from 31 games, meaning they are basically safe from relegation and have little left to play for this term.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are 5^th in the Premier League, and began the weekend three points off Tottenham with a game in hand.

For more information on the game, check out the links below:

Southampton vs Arsenal live streaming: Watch Premier League online

Southampton vs Arsenal betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions and odds

Why Lacazette missed out vs Southampton

Ahead of the game, Arsenal released their matchday squad an hour before kick-off.

The squad was largely as to be expected, with key stars Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney missing.

Elsewhere though, Alexandre Lacazette, who it was reported had missed training earlier this week, was also absent.

Now, an official explanation for the striker’s absence has been provided, with it reported on Friday that Lacazette has been suffering from illness:

Said illness has since been confirmed to be Covid-19:

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