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Arsenal team news: Update on Cech, Lacazette & Welbeck ahead of CSKA clash

By mac14 on April 4, 2018

Arsene Wenger has been holding his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of our Europa League quarter-final first leg with CSKA Moscow tomorrow night.

The Arsenal boss has given a team news update and has confirmed that Petr Cech is fit and available for selection after making a swift recovery from a groin injury.

Cech missed the 3-0 Premier League victory over Stoke City on Sunday after picking up a knock last week and the goalkeeper was initially expected to miss out tomorrow.

However, the 35-year-old was able to take part in training at London Colney this morning and should be back in the squad against CSKA tomorrow night.

David Ospina has played in every round of the competition so far and is expected to retain his place tomorrow but Wenger refused to confirm whether it would be Cech or Ospina between the sticks.

By saying we have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from, Wenger has confirmed that Danny Welbeck is available after shaking off a knock that he picked up against Stoke.

Alexandre Lacazette is also pushing for a recall after making his return off the bench at the weekend having recovered from a knee injury and Wenger says the striker is now fit to start.

Wenger says he has "everybody available" for Thursday night. That includes Petr Cech, who trained today.

— Mattias Karén (@MattiasKaren) April 4, 2018

As I mentioned earlier, Cech trained this morning. As did Welbeck who was also a doubt. #AFC

— Mark Mann-Bryans (@MarkyMBryans) April 4, 2018

Wenger: "Lacazette is ready to start, yes. I have not decided whether he will start." Refuses to confirm whether Ospina or Cech will start in goal: "You will see that tomorrow."

— James Olley (@JamesOlley) April 4, 2018

So we have a strong squad to choose from tomorrow with Santi Cazorla the only significant absentee with the midfielder still working his way back from a serious ankle injury.

Wenger is expected to field his strongest side but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be able to build on his brace from the weekend as he’s ineligible to play in Europe so I hope we see Laca start up front.