Lacazette on thin ice as Arsenal prepare to deal with repeat offence

Arsenal will deal internally with reports that their striker Alexandre Lacazette has been pictured inhaling nitrous oxide.

The Frenchman, who has been warned about a similar offence previously, was pictured with a balloon in his mouth and is said to have sent a video to friends, according to reports in the Daily Star.

An Arsenal spokesman told the PA news agency: “This is a private matter which we are taking seriously. It will be handled internally.”

Lacazette was warned by the club in 2018 when more video footage emerged of him inhaling the gas in a nightclub with Gunners team-mates.

It is the second misdemeanour in recent weeks for the striker, having had to be reminded of his responsibilities last month when he was pictured flouting lockdown guidelines by not social distancing while having his car valeted on his driveway.

Lacazette has recently been the focus of several transfer stories, with Mikel Arteta potentially considering the sale of the former Lyon striker.

Atletico Madrid could insert midfielder Thomas Partey into a swap deal for Lacazette, with Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard one of the players tipped to replace him up front.