The Absence Of Aubameyang And Lacazette During Arsenal's Defeat By Brentford Turned Out To Be Due To COVID-19

JAKARTA - Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and other striker Alexandre Lacazette were absent from the Gunners' defeat to Brentford in their Premier League opener last week due to COVID-19.

Apart from the two players, Arsenal confirmed via their official website on Thursday evening that winger Willian and goalkeeper Alex Runnarsson also tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

Our latest team news update ahead of #ARSCHE

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 19, 2021

Launching Antara, Friday, August 20, Aubameyang was declared to have received a negative result from his latest COVID-19 test and the footballer from Gabon will return to training for the second match against Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday the day after tomorrow.

Lacazette and Runarsson are confirmed to be out against Chelsea, while Willian's condition is still under scrutiny to determine whether or not he can play against his former club.

Arsenal are trying to bounce back from the shock loss to Brentford last Friday to improve their record at the start of the season against Chelsea.

It has been confirmed that three other players will not be selected by manager Mikel Arteta, namely defender Gabriel Magalhaes, midfielder Thomas Partey and striker Eddie Nketiah.

Gabriel and Partey are projected to be back in training at the end of this month, while Nketiah is likely to join his team-mates again in early September.