Arsenal legend Robert Pires thinks Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang can play together and form an exciting partnership next season. The pair showed nascent signs of a developing understanding at the back end of last season, with Aubameyang supporting the French striker from the left hand side of attack.
One of Unai Emery’s most taxing issues will be how to accommodate both players, who prefer to play through the middle, into the team- assuming he wants to. Gunners legend Robert Pires, who managed to bag 62 goals for the club from the left-wing, doesn’t think it’s a problem for them to form a formidable partnership.
“I think they both can play together because they have a very good feeling and communication on the field, as we saw at the end of last season,” he told Arseblog News. “They are both totally different but I think this is a good thing and they can play together, no problem.” Like Karim Benzema and Anthony Martial, Lacazette was left out of the France squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Pires, who was part of Les Bleus 1998 World Cup winning squad, thinks Lacazette can use that disappointment as motivation for next season. “He’s a professional, of course he is upset. When you play, when you are at a team like Arsenal and play at a high level, your objective is to always to play for your country and especially this season as you know there is a World Cup.
“So of course he was very upset, but he respected Deschamps’ decision. But now for him it’s very important to forget this, to take a very good break with the family and be ready for next season because Alex Lacazette is very important for this club.”
Another Frenchman could be arriving at the club, with reports that the Gunners are closing in on PSG’s 17 year old prospect Yacine Adli. Pires is enthused by the potential signing, but warned that Adli will take some time to adapt if indeed he does sign. “He’s a talented player. He has very good qualities, very fast with the ball and he can score.
“I know Unai Emery likes this player. I don’t know what’s happened the last two days, but if he joins Arsenal, I think he will be a good player for the new squad. France and England is not really the same football, I know. Everything is new and you need to adapt. So for him, if he joins, at the beginning it’s very important to learn and watch what happens on the field because you need to learn every day.
He’s young and it’s very difficult to leave your family, your country and find new players, new football and a new philosophy. It’s very difficult, very tough, that adaption. But I know Arsenal is like a family, so if he wants, he can make a success of his career at Arsenal if he signs.”
Robert was speaking at the launch of the new Arsenal away kit in London’s Leicester Square. The new kit is available here.
With thanks to Charles Watts and Chris Wheatley.
The Bob!
Hope he joins. Really hope the Jeff can get minutes as he has the power and guile diaby had. AMN should look to force himself into midfield.
There is no doubt in my mind Aubu and Laca will be the form strike partnership in the coming season.
I would love to see Nketia, Nelson and Willock force themselves into the first team.
Under Wenger we had so many “next big things” like Dan Crowley that never reached their full potential for whatever reason..
And it will be nice to see players played in their natural positions.
And perhaps a few top class signings…
I think Auba and Mkhit might form a good partnership this year. Just a feeling.
Laca is quality. But does anyone else harbour some doubts over Aubameyang? He seems like a flat track bully to me. Hasn’t got a great deal of skill. Can take opportunities in the box. But in big games where we might be struggling, not sure if he can make things happen on his own. Would be happy to be proved wrong.
You’ve lost your marbles mate
Laca and Auba have different styles. Look at the goals per game that Auba has. I do think you have a point of him having trouble not being able to make things happen but Arsenal’s issue hasn’t been creativity in midfield, it’s been in the final ball. Both him and Laca have the finishing ability that other forwards did not possess. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
If you know how many mind-blowing skillsets required to “Can take opportunities in the box”, you wouldn’t be saying that.
Thank you for your article blogs, now I’m happy
If you can get into the money-rich PSG team as a 17yo, then you can’t be half-bad
Adli is a good player with a technique,which allows him to create space when he gets into possession of the ball and as a result, he is not easily dispossessed of the ball.
I hope he grows up and is great.
But one appearance for PSG for 7 minutes at the end of the last game of the season when the title was won long before is not a lot to be able to form a judgement of how good he will end up to be.
I can name a stream of Arsenal youth I hoped for that didn’t come through – Bartley, Afobe, Emmanuel-Thomas, Lansbury, Frimpong and other 2009 FA Youth Cup winners.
He’s 17. That he got on the pitch at all with that club’s depth is an accomplishment.
Loving everything about Bobby’s involvement at the moment. Unai should definitely keep his presence at the club.
42 goals for Auba next season