Ever since Robin van Persie’s departure, Arsenal fans have been desperate to see a world-class talent lead the line.
Olivier Giroud, despite his excellent goalscoring record, was not the answer. So what do Arsenal do? Break their transfer record for Alexandre Lacazette in the summer and then break that record again in January for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The duo cost a combined £108.7million (£52.7m for Lacazette and £56m for Aubameyang).
Arsenal have secured Unai Emery to replace Arsene Wenger as the manager at the Emirates. While he has many tasks to accomplish, playing the star strikers together will help him accomplish those.
Alexandre Lacazette looked like the real deal after his big money move from Lyon, where he had scored 20+ goals for the past four seasons. He scored 4 goals in his first 6 games. He had a decent run until December but the goals just dried up after that. A knee injury didn’t help either.
The French striker just scored one between the start of December and April. Furthermore, the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it worse. It meant that Lacazette was now the second choice.
However, one thing helped the former Lyon man the most. Aubameyang being cup-tied for the Europa League. As Aubameyang arrived mid-season already having played for Dortmund in Europe, the Gabonese couldn’t represent Arsenal in the Europa League. At least, Lacazette was back as the first choice.
The turning point came for Laca after his return from injury. The French striker came off the bench to make his return against Stoke. Aubameyang had already scored a brace in that game and Arsenal won another penalty.
Aubameyang gave up the penalty and his chance of a hat-trick, only for Lacazette to score a goal and help regain his confidence back. This was a demonstration of Aubameyang’s maturity and team spirit. It was also the first bonding step for the duo.
Lacazette then scored a brace in the Europa League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow, leading Arsenal to the semifinals. He scored against Atletico Madrid too and just like that, a fit Alexandre Lacazette reminded us all of his goalscoring prowess, scoring against West Ham, Newcastle and Burnley. Auba assisted three of those.
Aubameyang couldn’t have asked for a better start to his Arsenal career. He scored 10 goals and assisted 4 in just 13 appearances. He has breathed a new lease of life at the Emirates.
Aubameyang has scored 25+ league goals in his past two campaigns and looks well on track to replicate that tally in North London next season. Aubameyang hasn’t performed well in the big games but it’s just the start of his Arsenal career. He hasn’t yet fully settled in but the signs are certainly good.
Lacazette and Aubameyang. Next season these two will boss the Premier League. Can’t wait. 🇫🇷🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/Gyau30axlB
— Arsenal Related 🔥 (@ArsenalsRelated) April 22, 2018
These two have been among Arsenal’s best players this season and the two form a lethal partnership too. When they have played together, the Gunners average 3.5 goals per game and that is more than the record-breaking Manchester City’s average of 2.8.
They have also both directly been involved in 10 goals in the 6 times they’ve shared the pitch together. The stats back this claim too.
“I hope we will have the opportunity to play together – it’s something I said when I first arrived that I hoped to play with him. We have different styles, but I think they’re styles that complement each other – he’s a very good player and a very kind person.
“We were once rivals in our days in France, but we’re now friends and I hope we can play well together and score lots of goals,” said Aubameyang back in April.
They have both developed a really good understanding on the pitch. They have played out of position to accommodate each other and have done pretty well. Lacazette has played just off Aubameyang at times and the latter has played down the left at times too.
We’ve seen the Arsenal No.9 drop deep in games and build up the play. He has a good pass in him too. Be it a 4-3-3, a 4-2-3-1 or even a two-striker system, Lacazette and Aubameyang can play together. Their interchangeability, positional sense and runs on and off the ball could make things work.
If Unai Emery plays these two goal machines together, then this could be the beginning of an all new era at Arsenal Football Club.