Aubameyang is fit, but there is still one major issue.
Arsenal’s winter transfer business had a lot of fans excited, but it also had a lot of people questioning how the new recruits would play alongside Mesut Özil and Alexandre Lacazette.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is now Arsenal’s first choice striker and has pushed summer signing Alexandre Lacazette to the bench and restricted his starting opportunities to the cups and Europa League, of which Arsenal are still competing in only the latter.
Lacazette picked up a knee injury playing against Tottenham on Saturday, when he came off the bench and almost snatched but couldn’t finish his chances.
It's a big blow for Arsenal.
Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out for up to six weeks.
More: https://t.co/ZyAr4LzuLW pic.twitter.com/UjNUi2VOtN
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 13, 2018
With the arrival of Aubameyang, the injury that Lacazette sustained against Tottenham during Saturday’s north London derby wouldn’t normally seem like cause for concern, but Arsenal fans are worried about what effect his absence will have on their chances of winning the Europa League.
Realistically, winning the Europa League is Arsenal’s best chance of qualifying for the Champions League, as it was for Manchester United last season.
With the Europa League carrying more significance for Arsenal in the final few months of the season, Aubameyang would likely be Wenger’s first choice but he is ineligible due to the fact he has played for Borussia Dortmund in Europe already this season.
So with Aubameyang ineligible and Lacazette injured, that leaves Danny Welbeck as Arsenal’s only fit striker to play in the Europa League. Welbeck has talent but he is not exactly renowned for his goalscoring, which is quite important for strikers.
Arsenal fans are therefore quite concerned that their chances of Europa League victory have been significantly reduced, which could mean no Champions League football for them next season.
https://twitter.com/mikesanz19/status/963419516331061248
https://twitter.com/ltarsenal/status/963415194079645696
Absolutely gutted for Lacazette. With his confidence at an all time low & Auba cup-tied, the Europa League match could have been the perfect opportunity to get back in form. Hope he comes back stronger.
Hope Welbeck/Nketiah are up for it now. Our campaign depends on them— P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/marcazette/status/963418664245645313
Arsenal signed a cup-tied striker and now Lacazette is injured. Welbeck to lead them to Europa League glory
— CFC_kingzy (@_cfcHQ) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/_AdamKeys/status/963425267199995906
So welbeck will be striking in the europa league now that lacazette is out with injury. Ffs why 😭😭
— KAC (@kingz_auto) February 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/maddghost/status/963430111486861312
Some fans are calling for 18-year-old Eddie Nketiah to be given a chance up top instead of Welbeck, while others have suggested playing Aaron Ramsey out of position as a false 9.
It’s unlikely that Wenger will play Ramsey in that role but he will be relying on the Welshman for goals in the tournament. As mentioned before, Welbeck is not a striker to be relied upon for guaranteed goals, despite his other athletic qualities.
Arsenal take on Swedish side Östersunds FK in the first leg of their Round of 32 tie on Thursday at 6pm.
