Arsenal: 5 key players in FA Cup matchup vs Portsmouth

By Josh Sippie | Mar 1, 2020

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. Alexandre Lacazette

There was a time when Alexandre Lacazette consistently ranked No. 1 on the five key players lists because he was the lynchpin of the attack. We lived and died by his contributions, and he was so reliable that he would always live up to expectations.

Things are a bit different now. He’s been coming in at No. 1 because we don’t know what to expect out of him. Just look at the first leg against Olympiakos, for example. He was not able to put the finishing touches on a lot of attacking moves and the club suffered accordingly.

Had he finished those shots, the match would have looked completely different. He would have been key for a whole different reason.

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We really need to get Lacazette back into his best form, and that comes from confidence. While I’m not 100% convinced that Lacazette will start here, I do think it would be an excellent opportunity for him to grow that confidence.