Arsenal won their second match of the season on Sunday with a thrilling 3-2 win over Cardiff. Arsenal are currently on six points as the international break starts. Sunday’s win saw Emery shuffle his Arsenal team with both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang starting. Both scored in stellar performances. Now the question is, who should lead the Arsenal line?
Who should lead the Arsenal Line: Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?
Emery had been reluctant to play both players together. However, Arsenal’s lack of firepower in front of goal and the need to create more chances led to both strikers playing on Sunday. Aubameyang was deployed on the left-hand side of the Arsenal attack. His pace down the flank allowed him to exploit Cardiff’s defence.
Meanwhile, Lacazette had looked lively in each appearance he made this season. Started as the Gunners’ No. 9, Lacazette tallied a goal and two assists. He also tallied three shots on target.
The conundrum now becomes which player to start as the team’s No. 9 if Emery doesn’t deploy them together.
Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette had managed just one full half of football before Sunday’s full 90-minute performance against Cardiff. Just six FPL points had been obtained by Lacazette in those opening three fixtures.
Last season under Arsene Wenger, Lacazette scored a total of 138 points with 14 goals and five assists. It seems the Frenchman has fallen out of favour at the Emirates since last Christmas, however. Sunday’s performance showed he should still be on the Arsenal teamsheet each gameweek.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang’s signing in January 2018 was hailed as a major move by the Gunners. Aubameyang scored 1o goals and scored 87 FPL points from 1,056 minutes played.
The Gabon international has got off to a slow start this term. It wasn’t until the Cardiff match that Aubameyang found the back of the net for the first time this term. Playing on the left allowed the striker to use his speed and he was able to combine with Lacazette.
The only problem for Emery is Aubameyang isn’t a natural winger. Aubameyang did play on the left wing early in his career at Saint Etienne, but at Dortmund, he proved to be an expert down the middle. Aubameyang’s crossing and supply are lacking. He made just 23 accurate passes from 28 total attempts on Sunday, and he failed to tally any key passes. In comparison, Lacazette made three key passes playing as the team’s No. 9.
So, where does this leave Arsenal? There is the old phrase of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Perhaps Emery keeps up with the same formation and personnel for the team’s upcoming fixtures. Arsenal play Newcastle, Everton, and Watford in September. Each will provide a different challenge.
For FPL managers, Lacazette seems to offer long-term benefits if played through the middle with Aubameyang on the left. Yet, will Emery play the Frenchman a full 90 minutes each gameweek?
Should Emery keep both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the Arsenal starting XI?
