UEFA frees Lacazette for Arsenal’s tie with Rennes

Arsenal's French striker Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Huddersfield Town at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Alexandre Lacazette is available to play for Arsenal against Rennes tomorrow after the club’s appeal over his Europa League suspension was partially upheld by UEFA.

Lacazette was shown a straight red for elbowing Aleksandar Filipovic as Arsenal suffered a 1-0 loss away to BATE in their last-32 first leg.

The forward was given a three-game ban and missed Arsenal’s comeback in the second leg, as well as their 3-1 defeat away to Rennes in the first meeting of their last-16 tie.

But UEFA confirmed yesterday that the suspension has been reduced to two matches and, as he has already sat out two games, he can play against Rennes at Emirates Stadium.

Unai Emery had said of Lacazette’s dismissal at the time: “I didn’t see the action but we spoke and frustration needs controlling. It’s bad news with the red card.”

The France international has hit 14 goals in all competitions for Arsenal this term, having formed a dangerous partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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