Arsenal: 5 Aubameyang & Lacazette alternatives

There is a certain Forrest Gump quote that can be attributed to football as it can life. Arsenal seemed to have the simplest of starting lineups to select against Brentford, only for whatever plan was in place to be cast aside hours before kick-off.

With the two best buddies both feeling unwell in the build-up to the Premier League opener – Pierre Emerick Aubameyang had supposedly not trained the day before – the game was even close to being abandoned.

Alexandre Lacazette and Alex Runarsson also missed the defeat as it’s since come to light that last minute COVID-19 tests were carried out to ensure the match could go ahead as planned. It’s a shame it wasn’t called off, in hindsight.

Both listed as ‘unwell’ by Mikel Arteta, it has since been revealed that the reasons for their absences were COVID-19 related, and the hush-hush handling of the situation is due to the Premier League wanting to avoid a major headline centering around the virus just as the season kicks off.

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Arsenal: 5 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang & Alexandre Lacazette alternatives for Mikel Arteta to opt for against Chelsea in the Premier League

No Aubameyang or Lacazette opened the door for Gabriel Martinelli and Folarin Balogun to come into the side, with their respective impacts not reflective of the excitement among the fanbase for their appearances.

Arsenal struggled in numerous aspects across the 90 minutes, with issues relating to defensive rotation, the speed of the build-up (how original) and the positions attackers picked up.

All positives stemmed from individual performances as opposed to collective notes, and with the simple matter of hosting the European Champions on Sunday to come it looks like more of the same in terms of absent personnel.

As per The Times, Arsenal are set to be without their expensive and experienced pair once more. Eddie Nketiah also remains absent with injury. And, speaking of strikers, Romelu Lukaku will make his debut. Oh, and N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are match fit.

Will it even matter who is in the forward line? Of course it will, and here’s what options Arteta has.

1. Martinelli – Balogun – Saka

It didn’t work against Brentford. Martinelli and Balogun would be the first to hold their hands up at that.

Can it work again? Well, in theory, those two will be making up one half of the Arsenal front four in the years to come. All goes well, Martinelli and Balogun will be starting every week.

That time is clearly not now as either one of them needs someone alongside them with a touch more know-how. Is that Bukayo Saka? Well, this trio would be surprising one to opt for firstly due to Nicolas Pepe boasting something resembling goal threat, and also due to the inexperience.

Martinelli and Balogun couldn’t work out their combinations or distances and there were moments where the former was far too wide or in too close proximity to Flo. It was always going to be a tough first game together.

However, practice makes perfect, right? Adding Saka down the right to help invite bodies and break through lines can present more space for Flo to attack and Martinelli to overload.

An option for Chelsea, but an unlikely one to be used. Asks too much.

Continued…