Alexandre Lacazette handed further Europa League ban

Arsenal have been handed a blow ahead of their Europa League tie against Stade Rennais, with Alexandre Lacazette receiving a further two-match suspension, following his red card in the first leg against BATE Borisov. Lacazette, who apologized for the red card, will now miss both legs of Arsenal’s tie against Rennes, meaning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, providing he is available, will lead the line.

Lacazette was sent off for throwing an elbow after being grabbed and fouled while he was on the ball, a response to the clear frustration he felt on the night. After missing yesterday’s 3-0 second leg against BATE, UEFA handed Lacazette a further two-game ban. This is common practice when a player is sent off for violent conduct: “suspension for three competition matches or a specified period for assaulting another player.”

Lacazette has scored twelve goals in all competitions, with one goal in the Europa League. He scored three times in the Europa League last season, when, ironically, Aubayemang wasn’t available after being cup-tied.