Why Arsenal must partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang alongside Alexandre Lacazette
The script couldn’t have been written any better. After being benched for the first three Premier League games, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette proved to be the match-winner as the Gunners beat Cardiff City 3-2 in a thrilling encounter this past weekend.
The France international provided the assist for fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s first league goal of the season, before scoring the winner ten minutes from time to down the Bluebirds.
While Arsenal’s defensive woes continue to fester, Lacazette provided strong evidence to suggest that he should be a regular starter. Furthermore, pairing him up with Aubameyang has the potential to work wonders for the team.
The 27-year-old appeared as a deadly substitute against Manchester City, Chelsea and West Ham United. So, it wasn’t a major surprise that he put in a man-of-the-match display during his first start of the term. The Gunners seemed more threatening in the final third with both Lacazette and Aubameyang starting, the latter often moving from a central role to the left-flank to accommodate his strike partner.
Aubameyang’s credentials as one of the most prolific marksmen in Europe are unquestionable. However, he isn’t as effective when it comes to playing with his back to the goal. The Gabonese forward, who joined Arsenal for a club-record fee of £60m, is at his best with the ball in front of him and while chasing a through ball.
Starting Aubameyang out on the left in the 4-2-3-1 setup should allow him to utilize the best aspect of his game, i.e., the pace to leave opposition full-backs dead in their tracks. It would also allow the attacker to exploit the half-spaces more effectively, making him more dangerous in the process – somewhat similar to what Mohamed Salah does for Liverpool from the right-flank.
Lacazette, on the other hand, is adept at hold-up play while utilizing his burst of pace to breeze past defenders. The former Ligue 1 star has showcased his abilities to link play up, often dropping into pockets of space between the opposition midfield and defence.
Case in point, while providing the assist for Aubameyang’s goal on Sunday, Lacazette played a perfectly weighted flick to the Gabonese and quickly made himself available for a return pass with his sharp forward movement.
Indeed, in the four Premier League games that Arsenal have played so far, Lacazette tops the charts for players with the most number of key passes per 90 minutes, with 2.9. If his assist for Aubameyang oozed finesse, Lacazette’s shot for the winning goal showed his finishing abilities and goalscoring instincts.
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The Frenchman’s all-round play, coupled with the ability to score and create for others, makes him the ideal man to spearhead the attack. It would also help Aubameyang prosper in a role that comes more naturally to him – running in behind defenders and getting into goalscoring positions regularly.
Moreover, judging by how the duo celebrated the goals against Cardiff, there is a clear camaraderie between them and it was quite evident that they enjoy playing together. And based on the evidence, it should be in Emery’s and Arsenal’s best interests to continue in a similar attacking setup like the one against Cardiff.
