• Arsenal wing-back Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on Tuesday, August 17.
    Arsenal wing-back Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on Tuesday, August 17.
  • Flo Balogun, left, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles during training.
    Flo Balogun, left, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles during training.
  • Reiss Nelson, left, and Kieran Tierney at London Colney.
    Reiss Nelson, left, and Kieran Tierney at London Colney.
  • Ben White, Arsenal's summer signing from Brighton, during training.
    Ben White, Arsenal's summer signing from Brighton, during training.
  • Hector Bellerin chases after Kieran Tierney at training.
    Hector Bellerin chases after Kieran Tierney at training.
  • Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli during training session at London Colney.
    Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli during training session at London Colney.
  • Flo Balogun, left, and Rob Holding at London Colney.
    Flo Balogun, left, and Rob Holding at London Colney.
  • Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta oversees training.
    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta oversees training.
  • Albert Sambi Lokonga, Arsenal's summer signing from Anderlecht.
    Albert Sambi Lokonga, Arsenal's summer signing from Anderlecht.
  • Rob Holding holds off the challenge of Cedric Soares.
    Rob Holding holds off the challenge of Cedric Soares.
  • Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe at London Colney.
    Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe at London Colney.
  • Kieran Tierney, left, and Gabriel Martinelli.
    Kieran Tierney, left, and Gabriel Martinelli.
  • Gabriel Martinelli, left, and Emile Smith Rowe.
    Gabriel Martinelli, left, and Emile Smith Rowe.
  • Emile Smith Rowe during training.
    Emile Smith Rowe during training.
  • Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during training.
    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during training.
  • Albert Sambi Lokonga chases down Emile Smith Rowe.
    Albert Sambi Lokonga chases down Emile Smith Rowe.
  • Arsenal defender Ben White, who joined this summer from Brighton.
    Arsenal defender Ben White, who joined this summer from Brighton.
  • Hector Bellerin closes down Reiss Nelson.
    Hector Bellerin closes down Reiss Nelson.
  • Calum Chambers under pressure from fellow defendeer Rob Holding.
    Calum Chambers under pressure from fellow defendeer Rob Holding.
  • Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli at London Colney.
    Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli at London Colney.

Sport

Football

Aubameyang and Lacazette missed Arsenal's opener after testing positive for coronavirus

Gunners were without their star players during shock 2-0 defeat to Brentford

The National

August 19, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Arsenal have revealed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed Arsenal's season opener - which ended in defeat to Brentford - after testing positive for coronavirus.

Brentford enjoyed an incredible introduction to the Premier League after the newly promoted team shocked the Gunners in the season's opener. The Bees announced their arrival in the top flight in style as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard secured a memorable 2-0 win.

The club said Aubameyang could make a return to action in Sunday's clash against Chelsea, but forward Lacazette is likely to sit out again.

"Auba is now negative on Covid-19 testing, is well and following all protocols for return to play," Arsenal said in a statement.

"He will return to training and be assessed prior to Sunday's match. Alex is still recovering and will not be available."

Winger Willian and goalkeeper Alex Runarsson also tested positive.

The club said Willian was adhering to protocols and that his health will be assessed ahead of the Chelsea game, while Runarsson is still in the recovery process.

Arsenal are already without Thomas Partey (ankle), Gabriel Magalhaes (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle).

Updated: August 19, 2021, 6:48 PM
Premier LeagueArsenalChelsea