Arsenal boost with Alexandre Lacazette set to make comeback against Stoke

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE is set to give Arsenal a major boost by returning from a month out in the clash with Stoke.

Lacazette has not played since he suffered a knee injury in the club’s North London derby defeat to Tottenham in early February.

The problem needed a minor operation to resolve, and in the time he has been forced to sit out eight matches which have gone a long way to shaping Arsenal’s season.

He was absent as the side crashed out of the EFL Cup to Manchester City and also from the team who crashed to defeat at Brighton that left their hopes of finishing in the top four in tatters.

But he has returned to full training this week in time to face the Potters on Sunday.

And Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is keen to give him a run-out against the relegation strugglers to help sharpen him up for the their huge Europa League match against CSKA Moscow next week.

With a top four finish now looking unlikely, the club’s hopes of making a return to the Champions League next season hinge on winning the Europa League.

They take on the Russian side in the first-leg of their quarter-final next Thursday – a game they are desperate to have Lacazette involved in.

The £52.7million summer signing has struggled to make a big impression during his first season in England since his move from Lyon.

But with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not allowed to play in Europe as he is cup-tied, Arsenal are short of other genuine quality options up front.

Lacazette, 26, has proven throughout his career he can perform at European level and his goal threat will be valuable when Arsenal will look to establish a decent lead to take to Moscow.

His return to fitness is one of three pieces of good news on the injury front going into their biggest week of the season.

Jack Wilshere was forced to pull out of the England squad for their friendlies against Holland and Italy after an old knee injury flared up.

But Wilshere came through a training session with the Gunners yesterday and is fit enough to start against Stoke.

And he is likely to be joined in the squad by fellow midfielder Aaron Ramsey who has trained well since undergoing surgery on a minor groin problem.

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