Arsenal duo Aubameyang and Lacazette missed Brentford defeat with Covid as Gunners confirm virus outbreak

ARSENAL have confirmed strike duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed their opening day loss to Brentford after a Covid-19 outbreak at the club.

Aubameyang and Lacazette were late absentees as the depleted Gunners were stunned 2-0 by the Premier League new-boys last Friday.

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At the time, Arsenal announced the pair were out due to illness.

However the club has now revealed the attackers were laid low with Covid, with keeper Alex Runarsson and playmaker Willian also missing after contracting the virus.

And they confirmed skipper Aubameyang, 32, is the only one of the four to have since tested negative.

The Gunners said on their website: "Aubameyang tested positive for Covid-19 and was unavailable for last Friday’s match at Brentford.

"Auba is now negative on Covid-19 testing, is well and following all protocols for return to play. He will return to training and be assessed prior to Sunday’s match.

"Alex (Lacazette) tested positive for Covid-19 and was unavailable for last Friday’s match at Brentford. Alex is still recovering and will not be available for Sunday’s match."

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There were chaotic scenes before the clash at Brentford as the Gunners' entire squad and coaching staff took tests to ensure the game could go ahead.

Mikel Arteta was left to rely on youngster Folarin Balogun to lead the line by himself against the Bees as the toothless Gunners sunk without a trace.

And he will be desperate to bring skipper Aubameyang back into the line-up for Saturday's London derby with Chelsea.

The Gabon striker has been strongly linked with a move away from the Emirates this summer as Arteta attempts to overhaul his underachieving squad.

Lacazette, 30, is also believed to be up for sale, with Atletico Madrid reportedly keen.

The Gunners are set to strengthen their goalkeeping ranks after agreeing a £24million deal for Aaron Ramsdale.

But the move has not gone down well with some fans who launched a sick tirade of abuse at Sheffield United stopper.

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