Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 6y

Alexandre Lacazette ruled out of Man United clash, Alexis Sanchez doubtful

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed Alexandre Lacazette will miss Saturday's Premier League clash against Manchester United with the groin injury he suffered during Wednesday's 5-0 win  over Huddersfield, while Alexis Sanchez is a doubt for the game.

Lacazette struck the opening goal to spark Arsenal's victory at the Emirates Stadium, only to trudge out of the clash at half-time.

Wenger confirmed the striker's injury after the win, where Oliver Giroud bagged a brace and Sanchez and Mesut Ozil also found the back of the net.

"Lacazette has a groin problem and will be out certainly for Saturday's game,'' Wenger said.

Sanchez was taken off with about 20 minutes left of the Huddersfield game after netting the Gunners' third goal.

Wenger said the forward had been struggling with a minor hamstring problem, but should be OK for the United clash.

"Sanchez had a little hamstring problem. That's why I took him off. But I think he will be alright [for Saturday]," Wenger said.

Wenger added he has not decided how to shape his attack in the absence of Lacazette, and potentially Sanchez.

"We have offensive weapons," he said. "We have [Danny] Welbeck, we have Giroud, we have [Jack] Wilshere who came on. They are all offensive players. I will see what I do on Saturday, but ideally you wanted him [Lacazette] there."

Meanwhile, Wenger has labelled Santi Cazorla's latest injury setback "disastrous" but still hopes the midfielder can play again before the end of the season.

Cazorla announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he had to undergo a ninth operation on his troublesome heel injury, which has kept him off the pitch for more than a year.

And Wenger said that was "a big blow" to both the Spain international and the team.

"That's for me the disastrous, sad news of the day," Wenger said after the win over Huddersfield. "I feel really sorry for Santi. He's a guy I admire, that we all love here, who came into training every day with a smile because he loves so much the game. And for him not to be available for us, it's a big blow. But for him as well, it's something that is difficult to take."

Arsenal had originally hoped Cazorla could make a return in January, but the midfielder himself said the latest surgery would push that date back -- although he did not set a new target.

Wenger, though, said he had not spoken to Cazorla's doctor yet and refused to rule out a quick return.

"I hope he will be all right, and that he will be back with us in January," Wenger said. "I don't know what happened with the surgery today, if it will put him back or not. I have to speak with the doctor in the morning."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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