Arsenal vs West Ham: 5 key players as health returns

1. Alexandre Lacazette

I think he’s been the No. 1 key player for about two months running. And there is a reason why. The chief reason why is that, while so many of the other players on this list are primarily responsible for themselves, and the positivity that they bring to the club as an individual, Alexandre Lacazette is different. Much different.

Because if you get the best out of Lacazette, you get the best out of Aubameyang as well. It’s been talked about ad nauseum, but Aubameyang is so noticeably better when he has Lacazette on the pitch with him.

That immediately doubles the value of keeping Lacazette on the pitch for as long as possible.

Lacazette is good enough in his own right. He provides a target, he provides an option, he keeps possession better than Aubameyang and he doesn’t panic around the danger zones. Aubameyang is a one-trick pony, and while he is the best there is at that one trick, Lacazette is versatile, and provides so much individually in addition to bringing the best out of his striking mate.

I would love to see the 3-5-2 used again, giving Lacazette and Auabmeyang the chance to accentuate each other like they are known to do.