Arsenal 3-2 Benfica: 3 things learned as the Gunners have fans heart’s racing
3. Arsenal have plenty of options
After struggling upfront against league leaders Manchester City at the weekend, seeing Arteta start Aubameyang and bench Alexandre Lacazette was an interesting thing to see, considering the involvement and the goals scored by Lacazette this season.
Aubameyang likes to drift out to the left, which tends to leave the box empty or deprived of Arsenal players when the Gunners are on the attack and this was evident against Man City. But Aubameyang was able to play more centrally in Athens.
Aubameyang’s goals came from him running into the box to meet a pass or positioning himself to execute a cross. He appeared more confident in front of goal and had the excellent service of Saka behind him as well as the presence of Odegaard and Emile Smith-Rowe.
Aubameyang and Lacazette are very different strikers, which is why they work so well together when they’re on the pitch as a duo and they can really bounce off each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
The problem with Aubameyang this season has been the inconsistency, in one game he will score more than one goal and in another, he won’t create any chances at all.
It’s been a very hit and miss season for the Gunners and Arteta has experimented with his attacking players, so hopefully, towards the end of the season and into next season, we can see both players playing together regularly as they did under Unai Emery.
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What did you make of Arsenal’s display?