Arsenal and Unai Emery are optimistic that Alexandre Lacazette will be fit to face Newcastle when the Premier League kicks off next weekend.

Arsenal travelled to Barcelona on Sunday to play in the Joan Gamper Trophy, a one-off game Barcelona expect to win in front of their adoring fans as they introduce them to the latest megastars they’ve purchased.

'… only come to see the Arsenal…' https://t.co/Voj1iEMGVH

— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 4, 2019

Arsenal, of course, played their role and stuck to the script. First, they added drama by taking the lead through a peach of a goal from Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.

https://twitter.com/lavozdelfutbol2/status/1158214936637706240

Then, with Barcelona struggling to get past Arsenal’s defence, Ainsley Maitland-Niles helped them out by rolling the ball past Bernd Leno and into the Arsenal goal, allowing the Spanish side to equalise.

Luis Suarez, unable to win a penalty with his dive, scored the winner with only a few minutes left on the clock, bringing down the curtain on Arsenal’s pre-season.

When Alexandre Lacazette was left out of the travelling squad there was some concern that the ankle injury he picked up last weekend was going to be more serious than first feared but the good news is that he was simply left out as a precaution.

“Hopefully he will be ready for the match against Newcastle,” Emery told reporters after the game. “The doctors are optimistic and we are going to wait. If he is OK for Sunday, perfect. If not, for the next [match].”

Arsenal face Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday 11 August with a 2pm kick-off. They then play Burnley at home the following weekend.