Arsenal’s attacking options were boosted for Thursday’s all-important Europa League clash with Rennes following news that Alexandre Lacazette had seen his ban reduced.
The Frenchman was handed a three-match ban after catching a BATE Borisov player in the face in the dying moment’s of the Gunners first-leg clash in Belarus, a match which ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Lacazette was initially expected to miss three games through suspension but, following an appeal to UEFA, Arsenal succeeded in having the ban reduced by one game.
UEFA’s decision read:
“The appeal lodged by Arsenal FC has been partially upheld. To suspend the Arsenal FC player Alexandre Lacazette for two (2) Uefa competition matches for which he would be otherwise eligible for serious rough play.
“Note: Lacazette has already served the two-match suspension following Arsenal FC’s Uefa Europa League matches – round of 32 second-leg match against BATE Borisov on February 21, and round of 16 first-leg match against Rennes on March 7.”
