Arsenal: And now Alexandre Lacazette has become a problem

Arsenal’s Europa League round of 16 draw was a bit sticky, and at last, we should feel the full force of Alexandre Lacazette’s injury.

Arsenal’s Round of 32 draw with Ostersunds FK was supposed to be a friendly, let’s watch the youngsters flourish kind of ordeal. Apparently that’s what all the players out on the pitch thought to, because yet again they looked thoroughly surprised that their opponent actually wanted the match.

In the process, whatever chances came Danny Welbeck’s way – two, in fact – he absolutely fluffed. And there will be people out there urging patience with the Englishman, but it’s not like this is a new thing.

Even before the injury, before this year, before last season, Welbeck has always had problems putting the ball in the back of the net. Confidence is certainly a key factor, but I would say 90% of his professional club career has been riddled with poor finishing.

The other 10%, therefore, must seem like a fluke. Which is why I was really, really hoping that the Round of 16 draw would see the Gunners against a team that maybe didn’t need a class finisher. Not that anyone is easy at this point, but you know what I mean. A lesser opponent, like Ostersunds was, because no matter how badly the Gunners flubbed, they still progressed.

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The reason why this was so important was because of the Alexandre Lacazette injury. Earlier this week I explored how he would be back for the quarter-final draw, all things considered, and he would be able to win us the Europa League and spare us from any future antics with Welbeck.

All we would have to do is get through the Round of 16, which Lacazette would certainly not be back for.

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Ac Milan was drawn, and suddenly things got real. No, AC Milan isn’t what they used to be. They aren’t world beaters and they certainly aren’t the worst draw we could have stumbled upon. But they are a prideful bunch, something I highly question about the Gunners given the Ostersunds FK matches and they are capable of drawing on that pride to upset North London.

Especially seeing as how the first leg is at the San Siro. Barring something magical, Welbeck will have to step out onto that pitch as our sole striker and, barring something magical, he will not have done much since the second leg against Ostersunds.

And that is what makes me nervous about AC Milan. Not that we don’t have the quality to topple them, but that we have to rely on inferior players given the absence of quality players.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Ostersunds FK

Just one more obstacle before we can get back to full strength.

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