Lacazette injury not as bad as first feared - Emery reveals

Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette was substituted with an apparent injury with 25 minutes remaining in Sunday’s drawn North London derby but his injury is not as serious as originally feared and is now believed to be cramp.

The France international forward had scored a vital goal just before half time to claw his team back into the contest after defensive lapses had seen rivals Tottenham take a two-goal lead through Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane.

One of Lacazette’s partners in Arsenal’s expensive front three, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it 2-2 shortly after the No. 9’s departure from the field of play.

The other member of the trio, Nicolas Pepe provided the assist for Lacazette’s goal, which was an unstoppable strike after an excellent first touch in a crowded penalty area.

After the game Gunners’ manager Unai Emery said he feared his striker might have a hamstring injury, but it now appears less severe than the Spaniard thought.

“Yes, I think it’s [a hamstring problem]. It’s not severe,” the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain manager said soon after the final whistle.

Lacazette has scored 38 Premier League goals in 91 games for the London club, since his arrival from Lyon in the summer of 2017.