Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang perfect for partner

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is perfect for Alexandre Lacazette, both in his play on the pitch and his character off it. Arsenal are lucky to have him.

When Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window, it was assumed that he would immediately rival former club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette. The two play the same position in a similar manner, a position that has only produced one starting role under Arsene Wenger for over a decade.

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And initially, that was the case. Lacazette immediately dropped to the bench, much to his disgust, and Aubameyang replaced him as the starting centre-forward. However, since Lacazette’s return from knee surgery that saw him endure a two-month layoff, the mood around the Gunners’ stikers has been far more harmonious.

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It all started with Auabameyang, who was on a hat-trick at the time, giving Lacazette a penalty late on in the victory over Stoke City. It was the Frenchman’s first game back since his injury, introduced in the 61st minute to sharpen up prior to the Europa League quarter-final against CSKA Moscow, a game that Aubameyang could not play in due to Borussia Dortmund’s involvement in the competition.

After the game, Aubameyang stated that he gave Lacazette the penalty because he wanted his teammate to have confidence, recognising the importance of it and laying down his own personal achievements for the betterment of the team. That is a running theme with the Gabon international, especially in relation to his partner, Lacazette.

On the pitch, Aubameyang has seemed more than happy to accept a wide-left role that allows Wenger to crowbar both him and Lacazette into the same side. Off the pitch, there is a recognition of the importance of confidence and a humility to then act out such recognition in aiding the mental development of his teammate.

This all makes Aubameyang the perfect individual for Lacazette to thrive. The £56 million man is supportive of him off the pitch, accommodating of him on it, and also provides that crucial needle and motivation to maintain his performance level, knowing that there is a world-class centre-forward who would happily replace him.

And so, the journey of their partnership begins. It remains to be seen what will happen beyond the summer. There is the rather important question of who the manager will be to solve first. But assuming that that manager wants to keep both Aubameyang and Lacazette, and that they want to stay, there is little reason to doubt their capabilities alongside one another.

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That makes the striking future bright for Arsenal. There may be many other issues that need to be addressed, but centre-forward is not one of them. The biggest reason for that is the behaviour and character of Aubameyang, an individual who is perfect for his partner.