Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd: 4 positives and negatives from key win

4. Alexandre Lacazette Isn’t Being Missed

It’s not as simplistic as saying that the reason Arsenal have scored seven goals in their last two matches is because Lacazette has been taken out of the team. That argument ignores the positive spell across December when he was integral to high scoring matches.

But there is something in there that is making a difference: speed.

Speed kills. What Arsenal have with Eddie Nketiah in the side is pace in abundance. Smith Rowe, Saka and Nketiah can all run in behind, just as they can all switch their games up and come short or interchange. Nketiah hasn’t suddenly morphed into a world beater overnight, but he had a really good game on Saturday, one that will be understandably lost among the many other narratives.

Just as so many of the ploys utilised by Arteta have been found out across the season, eventually this one may come unstuck too. But for now, the addition of pace at centre-forward is having a hugely positive impact on the team, one that has scored seven goals across two games against Top Six sides having rightly been heavily criticised for lacking cutting edge.

Lacazette will have a part to play at some stage this season but right now there is no reason whatsoever to change the formula. Nketiah has been excellent for five of the six halves of football he’s played since, and the movement of the front line has injected some much-needed energy into the attacking patterns of play.