Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal vs Liverpool: 4 talking points from pathetic Arteta defeat

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks on from the substitutes bench as he puts a jacket on after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks on from the substitutes bench as he puts a jacket on after being substituted off during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal runs off the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Davy – Pool/Getty Images) /

£180m Front Three Falter

The three most expensive players in Arsenal’s history started a game together today for the first time this season. Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who cost a combined £180m, played together from the start for the first time all campaign.

It won’t happen again in a hurry.

Two players in wide areas who are not the half-space technical operators who will help progression through the thirds fronted by a No. 9 who does not boast the pace needed to add threat in counter-attacks was no masterful tactical blueprint.

Arteta stated pre-game he wanted to see a different Arsenal from the one who won last season, indicating more control of proceedings, yet the plan to be more possession based falls flat with the choices made.

Of course, injuries prevented him from fielding Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, but the tactical setup was lacking in realism. Arteta is someone who has become known for fielding horses for courses. His runner didn’t leave the starting gate.

The three didn’t cover themselves in glory. Lacazette was his usual self but didn’t win a single duel; Pepe had no influence on the game and never got in behind Andrew Robertson and Aubameyang put in a shift playing at left-back yet was weak in challenges and slow to press.

That’s what £180m gets you?

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