One of the standout transfer rumours of the summer so far has been Arsenal’s link with Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal, with contrasting reports over the scintillating Chilean midfielder’s future aplenty.
Some sources have stated that the all-action star is set to join the Gunners after the Copa America, while some members of the British press have dispelled the rumblings.
With the truth of the matter yet to be revealed, it is pertinent to analyse just where Vidal would fit into the Arsenal set-up – especially given the competition for places in the side’s midfield.
Arsenal fans have been crying out for Arsene Wenger to secure an assertive central midfielder that can offer a dominant presence, win the ball back and dispel the common assumption that the Gunners are a soft touch physically. The emergence of Francis Coquelin last season has seemingly reduced the pressing need for this type of player, with Mathieu Flamini as an able back-up in this role.
In Vidal’s Bayer Leverkusen days, the South American battler was used in a central midfield role and gained Juventus’ attention through his work-rate and ability to win back possession. Despite these attributes still being present in the star’s game, the Serie A champions have largely used the Chilean as an attacking weapon rather than a defensive one. In the Bianconeri’s star-studded midfield, it is Vidal that plays at the head of a four-man quartet, with the South American charged with surging forward to support the side’s strikers.
He acts as a link between the team’s midfield and attack, with his movement off the ball also a feature of last season’s defeated Champions League finalists’ play. As such, it appears that if Vidal was to slot into Arsenal’s bespoke 4-2-3-1 formation next season, it would be as the man behind the lone striker, in a ‘No.10’ role of sorts.
This position has been most commonly occupied by Mesut Ozil of late, with the German playmaker charged with laying on chances for team-mates and acting as the creative spark to unlock stubborn opposition rearguards.
Vidal’s presence could well see the former Real Madrid attacking midfielder shift to one of the flanks, with Alexis Sanchez on the other wing. Ozil has been used in a wide role on occasion before by Wenger, but it is clear that the diminutive schemer would prefer to play centrally. A position on the flank would require Ozil to track back and defend, while also negating his influence to some extent, due to not being as involved in his team’s possession play.
There is no doubt that Vidal’s signing could well be a real boost to Sanchez, as the countrymen are friends from their exploits at national level. Vidal would give the North Londoners a new dimension in their attack and his versatility would also be a real plus for Wenger.
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The main man to lose out if the Chilean arrives appears to be Ozil, but the collective would undoubtedly be stronger with Vidal as part of it.
It seems almost as if an age has passed since Paolo Di Canio was appointed as the new Sunderland manager to steer the club away from relegation, with Martin O’Neill quickly becoming a forgotten man due to the Italian securing two victories out of his first four games.
He was initially criticised for his political beliefs and self declaration of being a fascist, but with vital wins over Newcastle and Everton, a consensus has emerged that Di Canio’s energy and vibrancy has rubbed off on the players enough to give the Black Cats a good chance at maintaining their Premier League status.
It may well provide the feel-good factor and instantaneous honey-moon period that often accompanies a new manager, but seeing as the Sunderland board granted the former West Ham man a two and half year contract, it begs the question as to whether the decision was made amid a knee-jerk reaction, or if the long-term implications of such a controversial and hasty appointment were truly considered.
So far, you’d argue that Di Canio’s incredibly short tenure has gone rather well, despite their recent 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa. Sunderland have netted six times during the 44-year-old’s four games in charge, a stark improvement on their previous ratio of less than a goal per game, and similarly, taking six points out of a possible twelve is the level of progress required from them at this point in the season, in comparison to the Wear-side club picking up just seven victories prior to Di Canio taking over at the Stadium of Light.
Should the former player successfully lead his new club away from relegation, he of course deserves the right to continue his tenure next season, with the privilege of the transfer window to mould the squad within his own vision of how to take Sunderland forward. Yet, I have a lingering concern that the Italian, no matter how well the team perform on the pitch, is a ticking time-bomb with complete catastrophe only around the corner.
The fact is, his managerial credentials are sufficiently limited in the grand scheme of things. Di Canio’s only experience as a head coach prior to becoming Sunderland boss is his incredibly successful two years at Swindon Town, where he lead the club out of League Two, and furthermore, until his controversial resignation earlier this year, had The Robins in line for a potential consecutive promotion into the Championship.
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But in comparison to his predecessor, Martin O’Neill, or the other managers in the dog fight at the foot of the Premier League table, the Italian’s achievements are minimal, and thus I have my doubts as to whether Sunderland’s recent rise in form is due to any particular capability on Di Canio’s part or simply the typical effect of players desperate to impress a new manager.
Furthermore, the Italian was offered the job predominantly out of his self-created availability, having resigned as Swindon boss after falling out with the chairman over the club’s financial problems and the threat of administration. At the time, alternatives were few and far between, with Nigel Adkins opting to join up with Reading and others deterred by Sunderland’s controversial timing of relieving O’Neill from his duties.
Di Canio’s managerial ability however is not my only concern. Although I will always defend the Black Cats gaffer’s right to his own political preferences, as indeed prejudicing against them in the form that many critics suggested of barring him from the English top flight is in itself a fascist notion due to its forbidding of a man’s political freedoms, you get the feeling it will not be long before the issue re-emerges. The difference between racism and fascism has not been fairly documented and debated in the media in regards to Di Canio’s views, and we are no doubt one authoritarian statement or murmuring of a discipline over-kill at Sunderland’s training ground away from the former Lazio forward’s beliefs once again becoming back page news.
Most worrying however, is Di Canio’s personality, and whether it is suited to the Premier League. He appears to have dropped the passionately rash and dramatic displays of literally kicking his players up the backside and subbing off his goalkeeper after just 21 minutes that were in heavy supply during his days at Swindon, yet his addiction to the limelight remains.
He’s desperate to make it into the photo opportunities – rushing to his players to celebrate upon almost every goal scored by the Black Cats and walking around with his arms aloft after every victory as if to funnel the supporters’ adoration into his soul – and doggedly determined in every press interview to come across well-informed and surprisingly educated, in a bid to assert that there is some logic to the madness.
While you might argue that it is simply the man’s passion for the game, an admirable attribute indeed, and furthermore, there are plenty Premier League prima-donnas, too concerned with their trendy haircuts and evidence of a healthy tan rather than focusing on their trade, that deserve a kick up the bum to keep them in check, there is a dangerous flipside that is exactly why Di Canio’s style of management makes him such a rare breed.
The glory hunting, the desire to be the centre of attention, and the moments of controversy and drama, all add up to taking the attention away from the team. Although in some instances, this can be incredibly beneficial, and a tactic often used by Jose Mourinho, utilising his reputation, charisma and enigmatic personality to deflect the media circus away from his players, the negative effect can be a trend of the manager taking full responsibility for the team’s successes, but at the same time, holding the players to account for failure and distancing himself from defeats, already shown by his apparent blasting of the Sunderland squad following their 6-1 loss on Monday night, according to Alfred N’Diaye and Sky Sports News.
Perhaps I am judging Di Canio too soon, I am charging him with incompetence, arrogance and controversy, without actually having committed a crime. But the warning signs are already there that his occupancy as Sunderland boss will end in tears, and the Italian, due to his passion, personality, style of leadership and political views, is very much an accident waiting to happen.
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But my criticism is not of him, it is rather the Sunderland board. They are yet again a shining example of another club jumping the gun, and believing hiring and firing without long-term consideration will bring success, despite it being a naturally short-term solution to a long-existing problem.
The desperation is embarrassing, the lack of respect in regards to Martin O’Neill by disallowing him the opportunity to prove himself – a right he surely deserves based upon his credentials, reputation and prior successes – is shocking, and the hastiness of Di Canio’s appointment, with little consideration for next season, or the year after, is truly worrying.
When the Italian’s tenure ends in even speedier and more outlandish circumstances than its incarnation, do not be surprised.
There’s just seven days left until the end of the transfer window and managers are frantically attempting to wrap up their business before September begins. With the new season underway, teams have been able to identify what’s gone wrong so far and they can therefore alter their plans accordingly to make sure they’re well equipped for the months ahead.
For some, it could be a busy week. Teams like Norwich and QPR had a dreadful start to their season, while others, like Swansea or Fulham got off to a flyer. It would be surprising if the big teams didn’t strengthen in some way as they continuously look over their shoulders at what their rivals are doing. The days building up to the deadline are often the most exciting and we can hope for a final flurry of activity akin to previous years, with Robinho’s move to Manchester City in 2008 being the perfect example.
There are still plenty of bargains to be had out there this summer; teams don’t have to spent big to bring in the right player and to help out the Premier League scouts in the busiest of weeks, we’ve assembled a list of 20 names that would prove great value for money.
Click on Aidan McGeady to unveil the 20 bargains
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As reported by The Daily Mail, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has discussed the ongoing speculation around the permanent manger’s job at Rangers, believing it’s all rather disrespectful to Graeme Murty.
What’s the story?
Murty was given the interim role until the end of the season in the wake of the Pedro Caixinha disaster at Ibrox and speculation has been ramping up in recent weeks about his potential replacement.
Reports this week suggest that Steven Gerrard is the frontrunner and prior to the last derby between Rangers and Celtic, chairman Dave King commented on the fact immediate success must be brought to the club by any new boss.
On Sunday, Rodgers will be opposite Murty in the dugouts at Celtic Park and believes all the speculation could undermine what the interim boss is trying to achieve.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the former Liverpool man said:
I think it’s hugely disrespectful to the guy who’s been put in to help manage Rangers over the last seven or eight months, or however long it’s been.
You have a guy in the role who is doing his very, very best in what has been probably a very difficult situation for him and you always have to respect that.
I have empathy for him, of course. It’s interesting, the timing of it all.
I feel for him as a coach and as a manager. It can’t be easy when all of that is happening around him.
Has Murty been mistreated?
Becoming interim manager at Ibrox hasn’t exactly been a joyful time for the former U20s coach. He’s had to take on the challenge of competing with Celtic for trophies, with little sympathy given for his lack of experience or knowledge of football management.
At times it’s felt he’s been the fall guy for many of their problems this season, most notably after the recent semi-final defeat to the Hoops when his first team squad revolted against him publicly and in the dressing room.
Constant speculation about his potential replacement can’t have been helpful and it’s clear at this point he doesn’t have the backing of many people at Ibrox.
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The club should have waited until the end of the season to consider his position and decide on the path forward, instead of jeopardising his bid to help the Light Blues win the Scottish Cup and finish second in the Scottish Premiership.
Liverpool’s fairytale 2013-14 season may only have finished 12 months ago, but the side’s heroics in finishing second in the Premier League now feel like a distant memory.
Lacking star quality since the departure of Luis Suarez, the Reds have slipped out of English football’s elite this term and need a summer revamp if they are to break up the established order.
The Copa America in Chile will provide a viewing platform for the Anfield outfit, with plenty of players in their prime who could take the club to the next level.
With the tournament set to start in a couple of weeks’ time, here are three transfer targets that Brendan Rodgers’ men should be running the rule over.
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Douglas Costa
Part of a new generation of talented young Brazilians being recognised nationally, Costa has been on the collective radars of big sides due to his exploits at Shakhtar Donetsk for a number of seasons.
Regular Champions League football has given the South American an opportunity to show what he is capable of against some of the continent’s best, with the 24-year-old showcasing flair and skill in abundance.
The time has come for the Brazilian to move to one of Europe’s top leagues and he would be an exciting arrival at Anfield.
Although the Reds have a number of excellent attacking midfielders already, with Raheem Sterling’s future unclear, Costa would be a ready-made replacement.
Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan’s future at Paris Saint-Germain is a favourite topic of the European media, with it seemingly increasingly likely that this summer may well be the end of the striker’s French adventure.
Although the former Napoli forward’s wage demands and potential transfer fee will be hefty, his purchase is not beyond Liverpool’s means.
They would face significant opposition for Cavani’s signing from Champions League-qualified teams, but convincing the hot-shot forward that he can be the man to fire one of world football’s most historic teams back to the glory days could well appeal.
With pace, power and an excellent goalscoring ability, bringing Cavani to Anfield would be the statement that Liverpool need to show that they are ready to be one of English football’s dominant forces.
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Fredy Guarin
Steven Gerrard will leave the Anfield outfit this summer and leave a considerable void in the Reds’ midfield, both from a playing and influence perspective.
Despite the coming of age of Jordan Henderson, the Merseysiders will more than likely have their eye out for a midfielder that can step into the breach and play a part in nullifying Gerrard’s departure.
Fredy Guarin has been a rare positive in an underwhelming season for Inter Milan in 2014-15, with the all-action Colombian continuing to be a driving force for the Serie A side from the centre of the park.
With his aggressiveness in the tackle, tireless work-rate and eye for a pass, along with Inter’s financial woes, Liverpool could well land an ideal new midfield general this summer.
Tottenham maintained their push for Champions League football on Sunday with a 3-1 win at home to champions Manchester City. Goals from Dempsey, Defoe and Bale helped Spurs come from a goal down with just 15 minutes to play, to win at White Hart Lane.
After winning one of their toughest fixtures remaining, the club will be in high spirits ahead of their final push for the top 4 spaces. With an expected financial boost of £25million if the club can qualify for the competition, Andre Villas-Boas will be looking to strengthen the depth of his squad in preparation for playing Europe’s finest. One player linked with the club is former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song. The Daily Mail have reported that Spurs will bid for the Barcelona midfielder, if the club can qualify for the Champions League. It would also see Scott Parker, Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone all being sold by the London club.
Song has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona after his £15million switch from the Emirates. Making just 16 league appearances this season, Song is yet to be credited with an assist in his La Liga matches, and was voted alongside Luka Modric as the flops of the transfer window by Spanish paper Marca. Failing to impress the fans or media at the Catalan club, the midfielder could be prepared to cut his losses short and leave Spain.
A controversial move to Tottenham could be possible. His red roots wont deter Villas-Boas, and neither will Song’s season at Barcelona. Despite struggling at the Spanish giants, his impressive displays in his last few years in England will be enough to tempt the Portuguese manager into signing Song or not. The midfielder enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Robin van Persie at Arsenal, linking up to score some memorable goals, notably against both Liverpool and Everton. Song assisted 14 goals last season, 11 of which were in the Premier League. Villas-Boas will look at Song’s quality at Arsenal, not at Barcelona.
But Song will also face a fight against the fans. A few impressive displays will make the supporters forget about his Arsenal origins. But the Cameroon international will come to replace three popular players at White Hart Lane. Tom Huddlestone, who has been at the club since 2005, is set to make way for Song. As is Jake Livermore, who at just 23-years-old, has started to impress in his first team football with the club, making 11 appearances for the London side. Finally, Scott Parker looks set to move aside for the Barcelona man, despite being popular with the fans for his energetic style and passion for the club. Song will know he will have to do well to win over some supporters, who will be sad to see the trio leave in his place.
The 25-year-old midfielder could repay the fans instantly though, if he can find the same form he left the Emirates with. His ability to pass a ball precisely, coupled with his happiness to sit back and hold the midfield, could push Spurs to a new level. With a more accurate attack, and an extra body protecting the defence, allowing wing-backs Assou-Ekotto and Kyle Walker to get forward, Tottenham could become a difficult ship to sink in the Premier League. With the club set on signing a new striker in the summer, Spurs could be just two signings away from a team capable of reaching the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition, a feat the club achieved two years ago in their first and only spell in the Champions League limelight.
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With the pace of Bale and Lennon able to latch on to Song’s through balls, and the Cameroon international’s ability to pass the ball to the exact requirements of a striker, Song could become a popular man at White Hart Lane. He will face a battle with Sandro, Dembele and Holtby for a regular starting place, but his solidity in midfield and eagerness to turn defence into attack with one pass could turn Tottenham Hotspur into a regular top 4 team, leapfrogging rivals and Song’s former club, Arsenal.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Hamburg recruitment chief Johannes Spors has insisted that outgoing Rangers defender David Bates isn’t moving to Germany simply for monetary reasons.
What’s the story?
It was reported by The Daily Record last week that the reason the Light Blues let Bates leave the club was because they refused to bow to his wage demands of £7,500-a-week.
However, The Daily Mail report that this wasn’t the case with sources close to the player disputing that. The paper also say that the Ibrox side only offered him a paltry £250 pay rise on his current deal.
In addition to that Hamburg’s Johannes Spors, responsible for tying down Bates to a four-year-deal at the German club, has revealed the defender could have in fact earned more money at another unknown side.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, Spors said:
In the situation Hamburg is in, we are always interested in getting good deals done.
It’s not a big risk for us financially. I know that David had a chance to earn far more money somewhere else. I know that for a fact.
But this is a good chance for him to come to Hamburg and a new country and he has shown me he can handle the situation we have in Hamburg every week.
It’s a low-risk signing for us.
Spors also revealed that the reason Hamburg moved for Bates was his impressive performance against Moussa Dembele in December, which isn’t the best thing for Rangers fans to hear in the wake of the Frenchman’s dominating performance against them on Sunday, with Bates watching on in the stands.
How badly will they miss him?
It seemed that Bates was only just settling into the Rangers first team before signing a pre-contract at Hamburg and losing him is definitely something of a blow to the club.
A no nonsense, no frills defender, he has played better than the likes of Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso this season and dealt with the threat of Moussa Dembele well in the 0-0 derby draw in December, far better than Ross McCrorie managed to recently at Hampden.
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Still just 21, he has good potential and time will tell what calibre of player he turns out to be.
At the very least though, Rangers should have made him feel more wanted and allowed him to develop at Ibrox, rather than offer him token pay rises. It seems his portrayal as a money grabber is well wide of the mark and letting him leave on the cheap is something they could come to regret massively.
Louis van Gaal has a history of putting his faith in young players. At Bayern Munich, Ajax and Barcelona he gave chances to emerging talents, which will serve as a major source of encouragement to some of the starlet’s behind the scenes at Carrington, even though the club are linked with top class stars on an almost daily basis.
And with it being St. George’s Day, what better time than to have a little look at some of these emerging English youngsters? Here are FIVE on the verge of making a first-team breakthrough…
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Tom Thorpe
A brief first-team cameo from Thorpe against West Ham earlier this season shows that he’s well and truly in Louis van Gaal’s plans. The young defender was parachuted into the squad amid a flurry of defensive injuries and handled himself well during his, albeit brief, outing.
At 22, the clock is ticking for Thorpe, and a loan stint at Birmingham last year hasn’t really helped his cause, but LVG has shown a willingness to give youngsters a chance, so he may get the minutes he needs.
Demetri Mitchell
17-years-of-age and thought of as one of the finest youngsters in the United set-up, Mitchell can play. A pacey winger – who is also able to play up front – the teenager has been lauded for his ability to beat his man and is thought of as a ‘game changer’ in the club’s youth sides.
He may be a bit young now, but with cup and European games to balance next season, Van Gaal could look to thread him into the team slowly.
Ben Pearson
A 20-year-old midfielder who has been likened to Paul Scholes… not bad, then! Pearson’s main strength is his passing ability, which he has been showing in League One during a loan spell with Barnsley, but his tendency to arrive late in the box and support attacks is another key trait in his game.
Caps at every England youth level between U-16 and U-20 suggests he has what it takes to succeed, and he could get chances with Michael Carrick’s advancing years set to catch up with him.
James Wilson
Not as such a ‘breakthrough’ player, Wilson has already made an impact in the United first-team. He netted his first goals last term and has since been Van Gaal’s fourth choice striker, but next term could be a promising one for him. Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao’s futures are uncertain and with LVG knowingly a fan of Wayne Rooney in midfield, Wilson may be the club’s only option… unless they sign players again this summer.
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Fast and clinical, the 19-year-old has a bit of a young Michael Owen vibe about his game.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
A cultured centre-back on the ball, but fierce when tackling, Borthwick-Jackson is thought of highly behind the scenes at United. Manchester born and bred, the 18-year-old has been with the club throughout his childhood and is sure to be a favourite with Old Trafford supporters if he can make the leap to the first-team.
Left-footed and able to function at full-back, the teenager looks to be a top prospect.
Gareth Bale may well have been one of Tottenham Hotspur’s outstanding performers yet again over the weekend, but there was another man contracted to the Lilywhites who enjoyed arguably an even better Premier League showing. But he wasn’t anywhere to be seen during Spurs’ 3-2 loss to Liverpool during the weekend.
Instead, he was busy terrorizing Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland side at Loftus Road, playing a huge part in boosting Queens Park Rangers’ efforts against relegation and bagging himself a stunning 25-yard volley in the process. Indeed, despite his mere 21 years, it’s been a long time coming for Andros Townsend, but Tottenham’s prodigious winger looks to have finally made his breakthrough.
With the fervent speculation that shrouded itself around both Spurs and QPR’s transfer dealings at the end of the transfer window, Townsend’s move to Loftus Road generally managed to slip under the radar.
With fans in North London fixated on whether the ever-elusive Leandro Damiao might finally conclude a long-awaited move and those in the west side of the capital too busy trying to figure out what part of the ground Peter Odemwingie was trying to lurk into, little appeared to be made of Townsend’s arrival.
And in many ways, for those not connected with Spurs in any way, the chances are you probably might not have heard of Townsend at all; not for supporters in the top-flight, anyway. But for fans of clubs within the Football League, you may well be a little more familiar with the Chingford-born winger’s name.
Because while his move to Queens Park Rangers may well be the one that proves to be his breakthrough spell, it comes after a whole raft of scattergun loan moves to clubs outside of the Premier League. And in a twist of irony, it could well be the man that played his part in overseeing what were often perpetually frustrating spells away from White Hart Lane, who could also prove to be the one who sets him on his way to career in the top flight.
Given the raft of backroom staff involved with the club and its youth setup, it would be naïve to attribute the bulk of blame – if indeed there is any to be had – on Harry Redknapp for the sheer amount of times Townsend was farmed out on loan during his time in charge of Spurs. But for as useful as the loan system is in developing younger players, the fact that Townsend is now playing for his tenth club in his ninth loan spell seems somewhat staggering.
Of course, amongst the frustration there has of course also been success. The 22 appearances he made for Leyton Orient in League One back in 2009 as a 19-year-old showed the Tottenham staff that he had both the talent and the determination to really push on as a professional. Two years later and a spell under Kenny Jackett at Millwall saw Townsend really show supporters what he was capable of with a string of superb showings for the Lions.
But amongst the smatterings of success, there’s also been an apt feeling of frustration throughout Townsend’s progression and the accusation that his parent club could have been a little more careful with their choice of loan moves most definitely holds gravitas.
A move to Watford at a time when the then-Malky Mackay led side had no real need for his talents proved to be a complete waste of time and a bizarre spell at Leeds United last year – in which he claimed he wasn’t settled at the club only to join Birmingham City on loan the next day after leaving Elland Road – begs the question why he was even sent there in the first place.
Although while the suitability of his destinations on loan has often been something of a variable, the one constant has been Townsend’s ability to provide his adopted sides a real cutting edge and in Redknapp’s appointment as QPR boss, he’s finally got the stroke of luck he’s needed to display his skills on the Premier League stage.
Long, hard playing time in the Premier League is of course the Holy Grail for any young footballer breaking through and Townsend’s more than served his time gaining his apprenticeship in the Championship and beyond in order to earn that playing time. Yet there have been plenty before him who have done the same, only to find game time in the top tier all too elusive.
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But as Townsend has proved since his move to QPR, this game is all about taking your chances and since he’s finally got his big opportunity to shine, he hasn’t disappointed. And for as much as Redknapp may have ultimately had faith within his ability, while the loan deal to bring him to Loftus Road might not inhabit too much in the way of a financial risk, it was certainly still a sporting one.
Their former manager doesn’t always cut the most popular of figures within White Hart Lane, but for however begrudging it may be, Redknapp deserves a certain amount of praise for handing Townsend his opportunity to shine.
After his blockbuster performance against Sunderland, the onus is now on Townsend to try and replicate that showing against Aston Villa and show his parent club, plus anybody else that may be watching, that he can sustainably provide the goods in this league.
It’s been a bumpy ride for Townsend to get his moment in the spotlight, but sometimes it’s not about how you manage to get there; just as long as you do.
On Sunday, Arsenal retained their title as the only team in England’s top four divisions not to win a point away from home in 2018, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
But this actually marked a rare outing on the road in which the Gunners started the game well – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whipping a first-time cross into the path of Alexandre Lacazette, who applied a clinical finish from close range.
And the Gabon international’s ability to impact out wide felt significant, especially as Arsene Wenger needs to find a way of getting him and Lacazette – the second-biggest signing in Arsenal’s history – into the same starting XI, while Danny Welbeck’s recent form has only further complicated the situation.
In short, Arsenal have three talented forwards, all of who can play wide left or centrally, enjoying decent form and expecting something close to a permanent spot in Wenger’s starting XI going forward.
While Aubameyang was no doubt purchased in January to become the goalscoring focal point of the Arsenal team, the performance on Sunday proved Wenger at the very least has options in attack through the former Dortmund star’s versatility – and in a league where big personalities have become the irritation of many, Aubameyang appeared surprisingly content with being the support act for the first time in his short Arsenal career. All of his previous appearances for the north Londoners have come as a centre-forward.
Indeed, the assist to Lacazette was one of two chances Aubameyang created against Newcastle and he also ranked second throughout the Gunners’ starting XI for completed dribbles. Defensively too, the 56-cap attacker put in a shift – his three interceptions were only bettered on the day by Newcastle’s midfield pairing of Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame.
Of course, Aubameyang is cup-tied for the Europa League, the last competition Arsenal have left to play for this season. But his impact out wide does create an interesting dilemma for their next Premier League clash against West Ham on Sunday – should Aubameyang return to the tip of the attack, or stay out wide to afford Lacazette room in the same starting XI?
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