Arsenal: Shots fired in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang duel

Arsenal has a unique competitive situation between their two strikers, but given the nature of it, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang must understand that shots have been fired.

Of all the things I talk about far too often regarding Arsenal (Granit Xhaka being amazing, missing Olivier Giroud), the one that I think occurs most often in my scribblings is the concept of internal competition. I feel like I write about it once a week or so.

But it’s a damn exciting thing when used properly. The problem has been that, with this club, it is rarely if ever used properly and, if it is, it’s usually accidental. Injuries or formation changes intervene and it could be remotely construed as competition working.

However, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang duking it out for first team striker duties, there is really no way around the internal competition that is brewing (although I’m sure Wenger can find a way).

The key, as I’ve mentioned previously, is allowing for Lacazette to win out, should he deserve it. Meaning that if he finds himself in better form than Aubameyang, the Gabonese striker should be benched. Crazy, I know.

Luckily, right now, we don’t have to worry about that. Aubameyang is Premier League and Lacazette is Europa League due to stupid, outdated rules that are being done away with next season (just in time!).

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Still, the precursor battles of this ongoing war are beginning now, and Lacazette has fired the first shots in his fantastic performance against CSKA Moscow.

A lot of players were given the benefit of a shoddy opposing defense. Particularly Arsenal’s midfielders. They didn’t have many obstacles to overcome to accomplish their objectives. But Lacazette didn’t benefit as much. His finish from open play was superb, slick and perfect.

It was also a finish that Aubameyang would not have been able to accomplish.

For me, the first “shot” in a duel is when you do something that your competitor can’t do. Lacazette did that, and he also showcased a fantastic, soft touch throughout the match and linked up play so incredibly well.

Those are things that, again, Aubameyang isn’t as proficient at.

As mentioned, none of this matters right this moment. But going forward, into next season, this absolutely matters. Different opponents may call for different strikes and I hope that Wenger has the “cojones” (sorry, I had to) to adjust accordingly.

Next: Arsenal vs CSKA Moscow Player Ratings

Either that, or Aubameyang could understand that shots have been fired and get out there and put on a worldy against Southampton. That would work too.

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