Arsenal vs Manchester United: 5 key players in lynchpin match

1. Alexandre Lacazette

There used to be a time when Alexandre Lacazette was perpetually the No. 1 on these “5 key players” bits. But this appearance at No. 1 is his highest ever appearance at No. 1 because never before has he been this important. This is his match of the season right here, the kind of match that you look back on and remember – hopefully in a positive light.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in a fit right now, he was shaken after Tottenham and he was pretty terrible against Rennes – a match that Lacazette was suspended from.

All signs point to Lacazette being the focal point of this attack from the opening whistle, with Aubameyang potentially coming on late to add some extra energy (and potentially get slapped in the face by Unai Emery again).

Lacazette didn’t have a good match against Tottenham either, but there won’t be time for him to be out of sorts. Nothing else matters if we can’t put the ball in the back of the net and that is Lacazette’s charge in this match and likely his alone, at least for awhile.

Given all that’s been happening, I don’t see how Unai Emery would start Aubameyang over him. Just wouldn’t make any sense.