Arsenal take on Southampton at St Mary’s at 3 pm UK time on Saturday.
The match is a must-win for Arsenal if they are to have any hope of securing a top-four berth this season.
Southampton are 14th in the league with 36 points from 31 games, meaning they are basically safe from relegation and have little left to play for this term.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are 5th in the Premier League, and began the weekend three points off Tottenham with a game in hand.
For more information on the game, check out the links below:
Southampton vs Arsenal live streaming: Watch Premier League online
Southampton vs Arsenal betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions and odds
Why Lacazette missed out vs Southampton
Ahead of the game, Arsenal released their matchday squad an hour before kick-off.
The squad was largely as to be expected, with key stars Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney missing.
Elsewhere though, Alexandre Lacazette, who it was reported had missed training earlier this week, was also absent.
? TEAM NEWS!
?? Tavares returns to the XI
?? Odegaard captains the side
??????? Nketiah starts up front#SOUARS— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 16, 2022
Now, an official explanation for the striker’s absence has been provided, with it reported on Friday that Lacazette has been suffering from illness:
No Lacazette again today at training, he wasn’t at Colney at all. He’s been suffering with illness. Looks like Arteta will be forced into another change tomorrow.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) April 15, 2022
Said illness has since been confirmed to be Covid-19:
Arsenal have confirmed Alexandre Lacazette misses out today after testing positive for Covid https://t.co/TmpRHr5UlN
— Art de Roché (@ArtdeRoche) April 16, 2022
