Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette needn’t bear the pressure alone

Alexandre Lacazette has ben endorsed to carry on where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s suspension is leaving off. But Arsenal have other assistance as well.

Arsenal will be without Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for three matches following his VAR-awarded red card against Crystal Palace. It’s all anyone can talk about, including inside the locker room, as Sokratis has come out to endorse Alexandre Lacazette‘s ability to bear the responsibility of providing the goal-scoring prowess we will be losing.

Lacazette has been on the struggle bus in the goal scoring department ever since he arrived at the Emirates, and while he has been otherwise tremendous, there’s no hiding from his confidence problems that have led to multiple goal droughts.

Still, he’s the one that keeps Aubameyang slotted out as a winger, as he plays in the coveted No. 9 position. And responsibility will certainly be heavy on him to score goals in his strike-mate’s absence.

I’m indifferent about Lacazette’s ability to do what Sokratis says he can, mostly because I don’t think he needs to do what Sokratis says he should.

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There’s no reason that Lacazette should have to provide the goals all on his own. In fact, if you put Lacazette at the front of an attack flanked by Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli, I’m looking at both of those guys to bear more of the burden than Lacazette.

The thing is, Lacazette will do what he does. If he scores, great. But his strengths continue to be focused on what he does outside of scoring. He will continue to do that. It’s not like he’s only effective with Aubameyang is on the pitch. At least it isn’t like that anymore.

Martinelli can and will thrive in the role and Pepe is only getting better. These are the guys that need to step up in Aubameyang’s absence. Lacazette is Lacazette. You know what you can count on from him and you know what he will deliver. Again, if he scores, great. But the goals are more likely to come from the young Brazilian or the record Ivorian.

Frankly, as I mentioned in a previous article, I think these next few matches are an excellent opportunity to gauge how much we really need Aubameyang. Because methinks it’s not as much as it may seem.

If Lacazette goes above and beyond what he normally does along with Martinelli and Pepe stepping up, then the proof is going to be right there, staring us in the face.