Arsenal are currently 13 points adrift that elusive Champions League spot on the league table and winning the Europa League could now be the only way for the Gunners to get back into Europe’s top competition.

But it seems with each passing day that task is getting more and more difficult for Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners are set to take on CSKA Moscow at the Emirates in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Europa League this Thursday and Arsene Wenger has revealed that a key forward player could well very be unavailable for selection.

January signing Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is not eligible to play in the midweek fixture for Arsenal – meaning Alexandre Lacazette was the immediate replacement for that position.

But Arsene Wenger had revealed that the French International was not a hundred percent fit after having just returned for a long injury layoff which led many to believe that the striker would not be starting the game and would only be brought on if necessary.

Wenger said: “Lacazette’s still lacking a bit of competitive edge. He’s been out for two months, he worked hard but he still lacks a fraction maybe.”

With Lacazette not totally fit, the next best option for Wenger was former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck.

Now the manager has stated that Welbeck too is not fully fit after having picked up a back injury against Stoke City this past weekend.

After Sunday’s win against Stoke City, Arsene Wenger said: “Welbeck had a back problem, yes.”

So as things stand, Aubameyang is not eligible to play, Alexandre Lacazette is not match-fit and Danny Welbeck remains a doubt for the Europa League clash. And this clearly indicates that Arsene Wenger will be sweating it out before the clash against CSKA.

Wenger was surely planning to divide the striking duties between Welbeck and Lacazette on Thursday but now that both the players are doubtful, it will be interesting to see who the manager chooses to lead the line.

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