ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR INCORPORATING A CURVED KNITTED LACING ELEMENT

An article of footwear includes an upper incorporating a knitted component formed of unitary knit construction. The knitted component includes a curved lacing element formed by incorporating shortened knit courses relative to lace apertures along the lacing structure. After knitting, the knitted component may be steamed to create offset lace apertures as well as alternating convex and concave curves along the lacing element. The curved lacing element of the knitted component may be configured to distribute tension applied by a lace on the knitted component when the article of footwear is worn during a sport or athletic activity.