Arsenal: Top 4 groups front three will evolve into

3. Sign a winger

The main issue to the ‘run it back’ plan is the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Despite being the team’s best player, top goalscorer and captain, the striker’s contract expires in 2021 and he will turn 31 in June. If Arteta was to run it back, it would require signing Aubameyang to a new contract, and given his leverage, he would not come cheap.

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As a result, Arsenal might be forced to sell Aubameyang in a last-ditch attempt to recoup the £52 million they invested in him two-and-a-half years ago. If it came to that, one immediate benefit would be the opportunity to invest in a more a natural winger as his replacement.

Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and now Arteta have had to adapt their tactics to squeeze both Aubameyang and Lacazette into the same team. They are centre-forwards. But modern football largely dictates systems with just a lone striker. That has led to Aubameyang often featuring off the left flank, which is a role that he is more than capable of excelling in. However, he naturally drifts centrally and pushes beyond the defensive line. That is his game, and it unbalances the offensive set-up.

As a result, Arteta could use the opportunity to offload Aubameyang and use the money to reinvest in a young attacker who is a more natural fit on the left flank, thus providing greater cohesion and balance to his attack.