Reigning Europa League finalists Arsenal might be without the forward duo of Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe for their Premier League opener.
The Gunners start the new Premier League season with an away game at Newcastle United who have just appointed a new manager.
New manager Steve Bruce will manage the first game for his boyhood club Newcastle United when his players file against Arsenal.
The participation of both Lacazette and Pepe for the Newcastle United game is in doubt for different reasons.
French striker Lacazette sustained an ankle injury during the Emirates Cup clash with his former club Lyon.
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The Emirates Cup was a preseason tournament involving just Arsenal and Lyon for this year’s edition and it was a perfect platform for Gunners boss Unai Emery to prepare his team for the new season.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery talked about Lacazette and Pepe in his pre-match press conference for the Newcastle United game.
Lacazette rolled his ankle against Lyon as mentioned above and his participation is in doubt though the Spanish tactician was quick to point out that he returned to training on Thursday.
For new summer signing Pepe, the Ivorian international attacker is still working way back to fitness at a busy summer at the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt.
