Mikel Arteta has to face the million-dollar question ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Sheffield United next week, after our top-scorer Aubameyang was sent off in the draw with Crystal Palace.
It is not going to be easy, especially as the obvious backup Number 9, Alex Lacazette, seems to have lost his scoring boots but is still our second highest poacher with 5 League goals to his name.
Arteta gave away no clues when he discussed losing PEA for the next few games. “We are losing probably the most important player,” said Arteta in Reuters.
“This is never nice but we have other players that can play in that position. We will try to find a way and be as competitive as possible.
“Hopefully [the other players] can take a step forward now that Auba is not able to contribute to the team with goals.
“Someone else has to do it and I want to see their reaction too.”
So, other than Laca, who else could he choose from? We have our most expensive signing Nicholas Pepe, who has not really settled into the speed of the EPL yet but may improve if given free rein in the centre of the park.
Or the young sensation Gabriel Martinelli, who has scored lots of goals too, but usually against inferior opposition in the cups.
Arteta could also decide to keep Nketiah at the Emirates and throw him in at the deepend on Saturday. Our new boss has already said that the 20 year old has matured at Leeds, despite not getting enough game time.
An outside possibility is Reiss Nelson, who scored a great poachers goal last week and is improving.
But if you were forced to choose our Number 9 against Sheffield United, who would it be?
Admin Pat
David Luiz.
Admin Pat,
There is no need debating this kind of question, the whole world knows the answer: Lacazette
Start Lacazette as CF and Martinelli as LW.
Then at 60 – 70 minutes put Martinelli as CF and replace Laca with Saka who slots into Martinelli’s LW position. Worth a shot, me thinks.
Ideally it should be Martinelli. But he can’t start as a lone striker, because of Lacazette’s seniority and Lacazette can’t play on the left wing
I’m not worried of our striking force, because Ozil has great finishing ability. Ozil is not creative anymore to create assists and crosses, but his finishing skill is top notch
“ozil is not creative anymore”,
thats the most stupid comment i have heard. Dont get me wrong your analysis are not bad but that statement i cant agree on.
and about assists,he should have had more assists if our strikers did convert.
And if creativeness is depended on the assists then alexander arnold is the most creative player in EPL.Being creative is something more than having an assist,its about reading the game,having the next 4-5 steps in front of your eyes etc
It’s not stupid at all
He lost his creativity a few years ago and has been awful for over 3 years now
Last year he played 24 matches and Bellerin scored more assists
Ozil needs to go because of his ludicrous salary. If he didn’t have that I’d want him to stay as a backup
bro you cant judge a player on his salary.For me he is still one of the best in his positions.He can murder teams and his workrate has significantly improved.And to doubt someone of his calibre on creativeness is just stupid and illogical.
and about bellerin scoring more assists,what was the system used??Ozil has had plenty of pre assists and created more chances than anyone else.
This is just my opinion and i am sorry i cant agree with yours.You have the freedom to have it so please dont get me wrong.
COYG!!!
Agree innit he has 1 good game out 5 and some people think he is world class, he is breaking this club and only for those idiots offering him that ridiculous wage we would have a lot better players at this club..
“Ozil is not creative anymore to create assists and crosses” such a dumb comment
Martinelli, without question. He’s a reincarnated football genius. Look nowhere else.
NICHOLAS PEPE. He is a good finisher. Very clever. He will also win us penalties. we need to win at all cost
Play lacazette as a 9 and play martinelli in auba’s poition
or
change the formation to a 4312.Play pepe along with laca going with a midfield diamond(if torreira is injured i think this is the better way).Xhaka at the base.ceballos and guendouzi as CMs and ozil as an AM.Niles and kolasinac will have to play a high energy game.sheffield united attacking strengths are both on the flanks and through the middle so we need more midfielders.
Laca will start up front with Martinelli on the left and Nelson on the right.
Apologies – Pepe on the right
Plz what ever happens….don’t include Nelson…that guy is nothing more than a typical hyped player and I’m pretty sure he can mk d leeds utd 1st team….
Still can’t believe iwobi,miki, welbeck was let go because of the likes of nelson ..
Our main worry should be how to get whoever is up top and on the wings the service needed for them to score… SU are a well organised team in mid and at the back…
lacazette
Cannot believe that this article exists. If it was about who will replace Auba in the side then yes, maybe. Because then you could speculate as to whether it would be Nelson, Martinelli or Saka.
However 9 is not even a discussion. Auba went off, Laca got the armband and Martinelli and Nelson played down the flanks. The question is therefore who will flank Lacazette, not who the no.9 will be.
But Lacazette is not scoring goals at the moment. we need our target man to be scoring goals. he is not composed. maybe he needs to be benched and try something new. PEPE is composed, full of tricks and can draw fouls in the penalty box. Martinelli is strong in the air. why cant we bench Lacazette and play PEPE MARTINELLI and NELSON. With PEPE playing thru the middle. We should consider signing Lewis Dunk this January
@Skills 1000
You’re kidding right? Laca is working his socks off fighting with defenders, while Peoe can barely get past em… 😂
I know Lacazette works and puts defenders under pressure. But i cant remember the last time he scored a goal. we need to go on a consistent run of form. Maybe Lacazette needs a break or something. Pepe in CF should be tested. He has a lot of tricks and is not predictable. His finishing and confidence is what we need. we need him more in the box. I am a Lacazette fan. i just feel something is not right at the moment. maybe he needs a break. we want our No 9 to score goals weak in weak out. our league position not good at all
Funny u mention nelson should strt ahead of laca…..really funny..laca work rate is d best I ve seen in a long tym…d goals will surely come for laca…..
USE MARTINELLI, right?
if i see laca in my starting lineup, I CRY DEEP!
Then MR CANDLE, please continue yo cry because Lacazette is the No 9
For a change that could pay off but if Arteta will agree I will advice him to start Nicholas Pepe as the no 9 striker for Sheff Utd and start Lacazette at right wing who can be interchanging position with Pepe occasionally as the match progresses. And start Martinelli or Saka at left wing.
First off Admin Pat, we’re not making any trip to Bramall Lane, it’s the other way round! You must’ve missed that humbling defeat at Sheffield ha ha! Now back to your question, I’d pick Laca over the rest any day, there’s so much to his game, he cant be wished away by few restless fans!
@ James, When was the last time Lacazette scored a goal?
He scored Vs the useless Spuds I think! A very important goal IMO. His contribution to the team is immense, and btw for laca to rediscover his scoring form he needs as many minutes as possible, unfortunately thats how football works and MA seems to agree! Im 100% behind Laca.
You are right though. we just cannot afford to drop any points against Sheffield and Chelsea. These two games are a must win. We are not scoring enough goals at the moment. Also, we need to go for Lewis Dunk . This board needs to be put under pressure to buy in January. 3 targets. Dunk and Thomas Partey. 100m pounds will get both players. those two players will improve our squad immensely.Height, character and steel. Offer them very high wages and get it done.After 22 games, we are 11 points behind Chelsea who are at 4th place. We are on same points with Southampton. Worrying times. The fans have to put immense pressure on the board. Marque signing is a must this January. every player has a price
Some fans are Delusional..
So some of y’all expect Lacca benched? I can’t believe this..
The only player I want benched or substituted is Pepe’ He should please make way for Saka” to fit in as LWF.
Ceballos should pair the midfield with Xhaka’ linked with Ozil’ ion want Guenduozi.. He should please report sick.
I believe Bellerin’ should be fit to play as-well.
Martinelli’ Should not miss to start as RWF.
The game is in Emirates, isn’t it? Not away.
The front three against Sheffield Utd ,barring injuries will be Pepe, Lacazette and Mar tinelli.Personally I would like to see Pepe played as a conventional left winger with Martinelli on the right wing.To me this would create real balance to the team where both wingers could get to the bye line and cross without having to double back on to their natural foot.The apparent obsession with inverted wingers makes life easier for full backs who know that eventually their opponent will revert to his natural foot to try for goal.Mahrez of Man City is an exception in that he can cross with both feet unlike Pepe who at 72m looks decidedly overpriced.