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Alexandre Lacazette has been a revelation for Arsenal this season. While many expected him to be a sure-fire sale in the summer, his vast improvements in terms of goals and overall contribution to buildup play have resulted in both fans and the club hierarchy reconsidering.
The Frenchman has stepped up in the midst of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang‘s turmoil on and off the pitch and has provided a solid foundation for a much-improved Arsenal attack.
In light of this, his injury against Fulham in the Premier League is even more devastating. The forward pulled up in pain off the ball, which is never a good sign. He immediately went down, clutching his hamstring, looking visibly agitated and disappointed.
Losing a player in good form over such a crucial stretch of the season gives Mikel Arteta another tactical problem to solve. The Spanish manager will be looking to replace the Frenchman to get through a tough fixture list that will define the season.
Arsenal: 3 Alexandre Lacazette replacements at centre-forward following hamstring injury
Aubameyang would be perfect able to slot into the striker role if not for his fight for fitness against malaria. He contracted the illness over the international break and its effects will result in Aubameyang taking some time to get back to his best. There will need to be some patience with him.
3. Eddie Nketiah
After Aubameyang, the choices do not inspire much confidence. Eddie Nketiah, while scoring against Fulham, does not have the ability to play with his back to goal as his hold up play leaves much to be desired.
The English forward has made appearances off the bench in the last three games – albeit breif cameos – but a lack of playing time may be due to the wrinkles in his game. Arteta appears to prefer someone who can drop deep and augment the midfield and Nketiah simply doesn’t offer those qualities.
2. Folarin Balogun
A striker who can play with his back to goal and be that focal point in attack is Folarin Balogun. The academy product seems to be tantalizingly close to signing a new contract and he has been rewarded by appearances in the squad and a brief cameo off the bench.
He seems to be a more well-rounded forward than Nketiah, as shown early in the season when he showcased his strength and ability on the ball on each occasion he featured in the Europa League group stages: two goals and an assist in just 61 minutes.
The young man, however, is untested on a senior level. Playing against Dundalk (with all due respect) and suiting up against Everton and Villarreal – depending on Aubameyang’s length of absence – is a completely different ask and one that Balogun may not be the answer to.
1. Gabriel Martinelli
The last option to replace Lacazette is Gabriel Martinelli. After impressing last season with his energy and goal threat, Martinelli suffered a serious knee injury and a subsequent lengthy layoff.
As Martinelli continues to get some much-needed minutes into his legs, Arteta may be looking to him to take up the mantle at centre-forward. The Spaniard has waxed lyrical about Martinelli and his mentality, while he has also, however, repeatedly shown his hesitancy in throwing the Brazilian into the deep end.
Martinelli has been played intermittently, with Arteta taking a more cautious approach compared to Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. It has been widely reported that Arteta sees Martinelli as someone who will develop into the team’s long-term centre-forward, a position he has dabbled with throughout his career. He has all the attributes to do so.
Thus far, however, the manager has played him primarily on the left wing. With Lacazette’s injury and Aubameyang’s illness, now is the time to start the Brazilian down the center.
Nicolas Pepe has been more than effective from the left and Saka’s stellar performances on the right ensure that the wings are still dangerous if Martinelli moves to the middle. The 19-year-old’s energy and desire to press will be valuable assets at the business end of the season. Additionally, his pace and dribbling ability gives Arteta something different in Lacazette’s absence.
Arsenal’s best performer against Fulham, he’s looking sharp and hungry as ever.