Lacazette ruled out until October with ankle injury

Alexandre Lacazette is expected to miss a handful of matches - including Arsenal's marquee match against Manchester United at the end of the month - with a left ankle injury.

Lacazette has struggled with the injury for "several weeks," according to a club statement.

The Gunners said he's "likely" to return sometime in October.

Arsenal will now rely on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and summer signing Nicolas Pepe to lead the attack.

Aubameyang has already scored four goals this season, suggesting he has what it takes to repeat as the Premier League's top marksman. However, Pepe's first experience of Premier League football has been far less fruitful. The former Lille winger alternated as a starter and substitute in the opening four matches of the campaign.

The injury may explain why Lacazette - much to the chagrin of supporters - was benched during Arsenal's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on Aug. 24. He was also left off of France's squad for the most recent round of Euro qualifiers.