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Five reasons for Arsenal to be optimistic heading into next season

By Jocelyn Taub

SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE - JULY 26: Arsenal players pose for a team shot during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal at the National Stadium on July 26, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Stoke City at Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 01: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his sides second goal with Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Stoke City at Emirates Stadium on April 1, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4. Arsenal have offensive fire-power

There is reason to be excited at Arsenal’s potential fire power up front this season.

When Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last January there was talk that the striker had been a divisive force in the Borussia Dortmund dressing room. Perhaps that was true, but he has looked nothing short of inspired since coming to London.

One of his most impressive moves occurred last April in the Gunners’ 3-0 victory over Stoke. The Gabonese striker was chasing a hat trick when his side were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute. Instead of taking it himself, Aubameyang unselfishly stepped aside to allow fellow striker Alexandre Lacazette to take the shot and score.

When asked why afterwards, Aubameyang said, “I knew that Laca is back. I’d scored twice so I let him shoot: it was good for his confidence”. Talk about being a team player.

With both Lacazette and Aubameyang the Gunners should be able to net plenty of goals. The fact that the two strikers have each other’s back can only help.

With Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan providing the pair with scoring opportunities the prospect of Arsenal’s offensive prowess is that much more exciting.

It is not clear how Emery will utilize his star strikers, but the pair have looked in sync when on the pitch together.

In addition to Ozil and Mkhitaryan, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka and the newly acquired Torreira will play a major role in providing service to the strikers.

Remember, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan only joined Arsenal in January. Plus Ozil just ended his international career. This will be the first time that the club will have all these talented players at its disposal for an entire season.

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