Lacazette confidence affected aubameyang arrival wenger
A great topic!
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018, it's widely believed that Alexandre Lacazette's confidence was affected by the arrival of the Gabonese striker. Here's why:
- Competition for places: Aubameyang was a prolific goal-scorer, having netted over 100 goals in the previous two seasons for Borussia Dortmund. His arrival meant that Lacazette, who had been Arsenal's primary striker since his summer 2017 signing, faced stiff competition for a starting spot.
- Different playing styles: Aubameyang and Lacazette have different playing styles. Aubameyang is a more clinical finisher, known for his speed and agility, while Lacazette is a more creative player who likes to drop deep and create chances for himself and others. This difference in style may have made it challenging for Lacazette to adapt to the new dynamic.
- Goal-scoring pressure: Aubameyang's arrival put pressure on Lacazette to perform and score goals. Lacazette had struggled to find the net consistently in his first season at Arsenal, and Aubameyang's presence may have made him feel like he needed to step up his game to maintain his place in the team.
- Arsène Wenger's tactics: Under Wenger, Arsenal often employed a 3-4-3 formation, which allowed both Aubameyang and Lacazette to play together. However, this formation also meant that Lacazette was often forced to play out wide or behind Aubameyang, which may have affected his confidence and ability to play in his preferred position.
As a result, Lacazette's form suffered in the second half of the 2017-2018 season. He scored only 4 goals in 14 appearances after Aubameyang's arrival, compared to 13 goals in 24 appearances before the Gabonese striker joined the club.
However, it's worth noting that Lacazette has since regained his confidence and form under Unai Emery, who has used him in a more central role and given him more freedom to create chances.