Injury expert delivers Lacazette bulletin as Arsenal fans can’t believe he’s broken down
Arsenal hitman Alexandre Lacazette is likely cramping up because of “fatigue” – but “nutrition” and “hydration” could also be factors.
That is according to injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Lacazette was substituted off with 20 minutes remaining in the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on 22 October with fans surprised he had broken down.
As quoted by football.london after the final whistle, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that the Frenchman had been “cramping”.
Lacazette has featured just six times across all competition this season and the victory at the Emirates was his first start in the league.
There has been no indication from within Arsenal that the 30-year-old will not be ready to face Leeds United in the League Cup tonight (26 October.)
Dinnery suggests that fatigue and lack of game time are to blame for Lacazette’s build-up of lactic acid against Palace.
“There are a lot of different factors that can cause cramping,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.
“The assumption is that we’re looking at fatigue, which is down to a lack of first-team minutes.
“As your sharpness and minutes on the pitch increase, that will reduce the likelihood of a player cramping up. It can also be hydration and nutrition.
“But Lacazette hasn’t had too many starts for Arsenal in recent time. So this is not something I’m overly concerned about.
“His minutes will increase to the point where he should be able to fly through 90 minutes without any major issue.”
In other news, pundit in awe of “very rare” Emile Smith-Rowe after “dream” Arsenal reveal.