By Devilgunner.
I always had the nagging feeling that Auba wasn’t suited to the Arsenal style. But even though the evidence of those simple stats is telling, I was still shocked to see the high percentage of points the team got when Auba wasn’t involved and when Laca played.
As a coach I prefer to play with the Laca/Giroud style in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Had I been Arsenal coach Auba would not have got near the club let alone the team because he cannot play in this setup. Not even when I played a 3-4-2-1/3-4-3 formation would he have fitted in. However it’s all a matter of opinion and whatever formation one uses. I feel though, that Lacazette is more suited to the tiki-taka style preferred by AW and Arteta. Auba is more suited to a direct counter attacking style, he would have been great instead of TH14 with that team as well because he would have broken many records. However, the Barca/Ajax style does not suit him and this is were I feel AW made a mistake. He expected Auba to fit into any style.
Which striker is best fit for Arsenal, Aubameyang or Lacazette?
In January 2018, Arsenal announced the signing of Aubameyang from Dortmund. With Alexandre Lacazette playing as a centre forward and now with PEA, the attack looked fearsome. On paper at least. It was the mid-season transfer window so most of the supporters thought that the remainder of the season would be the bedding in period and began looking forward to season 2018/19.
The main problem with these two surfaced immediately. Both wanted to play in the CF position and whilst both could play on the flanks it was obvious that Lacazette would be too slow to play there in the EPL. So it was either Lacazette playing as a CF with Aubameyang on the left, or else Aubameyang would play as CF with Lacazette dropping to the bench.
For the rest of the season Arsene Wenger experimented with these two in the forward line. Aubameyang began 9 games (Lacazette benched). The team won 4, lost 5, scored 17 goals and conceded 14. In 4 other games both Lacazette and Aubameyang played from the first minute. In those games Arsenal won 3 and lost 1. They scored 8 goals and conceded 2. In the remaining game Auba was not selected but Lacazette began from kick off. Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners.
The following season (2018/19) saw Aubameyang begin 12 games (Lacazette benched or not in squad) out of which the team won 6, drawn 2 and lost 4. They scored 26 and conceded 22. Lacazette was recalled to the starting line up (Aubameyang benched or not in squad) for 8 games out of which the team won 5, drawn 1 and lost 2. The team scored 16 and conceded 18. For the remaining 18 games both Lacazette and Aubameyang began the game from the kick off and the team won 10, drawn 4 and lost 4. Goals for 31. Goals against 21.
Season 2019/20, which was disrupted due to Covid outbreak, saw Aubameyang begin 16 games (Lacazette benched) out of which the team won 9, drawn 3 and lost 4. Goals scored 24 while goals conceded were 18. Lacazette began 3 games as a lone striker (Aubameyang benched) and the team won 1 and drawn 2. Goals scored 5 and conced 4. The remaining 19 games saw Aubameyang and Lacazette start from the first whistle. The team won just 5, Drawn 9 and lost 5. They scored 27 and conceded 26.
Last season, 2020/21 saw more or less the same pattern unfold. Aubameyang began 13 games in which Lacazette wasn’t in the starting line up. The team won 6, drawn 2 and lost 5. 17 goals were scored while 13 were conceded. Lacazette began 10 games up front on his own and during those games the team won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2. 17 goals were scored and 8 conceded. Aubameyang and Lacazette together played 12 games from the beginning and the team won 5, drawn 2 and lost 5. Goals scored 17 and conceded 14. However, this season, saw Arsenal play 3 games without either of these two from the start and the result was 1 win and 2 losses. Arsenal scored 4 and conceded 4.
The above statistics are based only on the EPL games and don’t take the FA Cup, League Cup or Europa League into consideration but they beg the question (which I have always been asking myself from the day Arsenal signed PEA) – which striker is best fit for Arsenal, Aubameyang or Lacazette?
Both of them have been involved in 124 games, either together from kick off or else one of them beginning while the other was benched or not in squad.
Aubameyang began 50 games as CF (while Lacazette was not in first 11) and Arsenal won 82 points out of a possible 150 (a return of 54.66%). Lacazette began a total of 22 games (while Aubameyang was not in first 11) and Arsenal won 44 out of a possible 66 points (a return of 66.6%). Both Lacazette and Aubameyang began 52 games together (Lacazette as a CF with Aubamayang on the wings) and these games saw Arsenal obtain 81 points out of a possible 156 points (a return of 51.9%).
So if one were to analyse those point statistics one would observe that with Aubameyang beginning the game while Lacazette was benched yielded a return of 54.66% points, while when they played together the result was 51.9% points obtained. However, when Lacazette played up front while Aubameyang was benched or not in starting 11 Arsenal got a return of 66.6% points.
It’s up to one’s opinion which striker is best fit for Arsenal.
Perhaps the most telling factor one should consider is the first half of season 2017/18 when Lacazette was Arsenal’s CF while PEA was still at Dortmund. During that time Arsenal played a total of 24 games, 20 of which Lacazette was involved in from the start. In those 20 games Arsenal registered 12 wins, drawn 5 and lost 3. They scored 43 goals and conceded 22. Those results got a return of 41 points out of 60 (68.3% of total points). In the remaining 4 games in which Lacazette did not feature (and Aubameyang was yet to be an Arsenal player) Arsenal lost 4 games, scored 3 and conceded 12.
There are lot of reasons one may put forward with regards to which striker is best fit for Arsenal. In my opinion both of them are good strikers but it all has to do with the tactics and playing style of the team. I feel that with the way Arsenal play the 4-2-3-1 formation, Lacazette is more suited to it whereas Aubameyang is not suited to it. And trying to fit both of them in the same formation gives a smell of square pegs in round holes. I think that out of the two with the present playing style Lacazette would prove to be a better bet than Aubameyang.
If Arteta wants to play a different 4-3-3, then in my opinion neither of them will really fit in that system.
See you in the comments.
Lacca every time. He scores, links play and encourages the younger players. He is also younger and cost us less every month than PEA.
Thanks Devil, I enjoyed reading your post.
The Europa Cup summed up the difference between the two players imo. One plays with and for the team, the other is more about his goals. The whole mask thing and the fuss made around his contract and the way it was announced spoke volumes to me.
Good Morning Rico and all
Thanks for posting it.
What never ceases to amaze me is the fact that we mere mortals can see things which professionally qualified managers dont. Or dont want to see. Because any person in his right senses would see that both play in a different style. And in the same position.
Granted….one could alternate between them. But what’s the point of alternating them if the players behind you are more suited to a certain style? A few days ago we had RaKa who pointed out the difference between Klopp and Guardiola style. Aubameyang would fit more into the Klopp style but would not do so in the Guardiola style. He needs direct football which plays in a counterattacking style. Lacazette can only play in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The problem with AW was that whenever he alternated them he kept the same players behind them. And these players were more suited to the 4-2-3-1 formation. That is why at the moment a complete overhaul is necessary if Arteta wants to implement the Ajax 4-3-3 formation. Because it needs players with a different mind set. And that is also the reason that Xhaka has to be moved on as well….because he plays on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 formation. He cannot play the pure CDM because he is slow. So he needs another beside him who controls the right side of the pitch. In our formation we had PArtey and Xhaka. that created an unbalance although they managed to find a way around it. because Xhaka is slow while PArtey is more mobile. We need a complete overhaul because from the current midfield only Partey is suited to the Arteta formation while in the attack only Saka, Pepe, Martinelli and ESR are suited to it.
And there is a chance that if we play the ARteta formation, ESR would drop down to midfield beside Partey and that leaves only the pure CDM to fill.
However, in the case of Lacazette and Aubameyang, neither will be a good fit for the Arteta formation.
Morning Devil, and all. Oops.
That amazes me too. What I think are the basics, not suggesting I’m some smartie pants, often seems to be missed by managers. Some of Arsene Wenger’s decisions drove me bonkers, Emery and now Arteta too. It’s easy to suggest Arteta is learning his trade etc etc but I don’t always think it’s that, it’s just pure common sense which seems to abandon him.
Emery had the most difficult task Rico. He had to replace AW and change a philosophy. And that is never easy. As it needs to change a whole set up and team.
Emery wanted to implement his formation. And when he tried to fit the players into it, it did not work out because the players were used to the 4-2-3-1 formation. Ozil, for example, was suited perfectly to it. But suddenly he found himself shunted on the left, and he was not to change. From being the fulcrum he had to go out on the left side. And he was not going to do that. Arteta had the balls to drop him, but Emery faced the brunt of it all.
Emery is a very good coach. Arteta is as well. But they had to operate with what they had. And while Emery lost the team, Arteta had the balls to freeze some out, sell others and try to steady the ship.
Is AW to blame for all this? Imo NO. He played the way he saw it and was very good for Arsenal. The only fault I find in him is that he should have left Arsenal earlier. Not later than 2011.
Arteta will steady the ship. And I am confident he will have a much better 2021/22.
Emery was always going struggle Devil. He walked into a mess, a muddled squad and then the club didn’t make the signings he wanted. How could anyone succeed? I think the players, not all of course, had no respect for him and didn’t like his work ethic. He certainly taught Arteta a footballing lesson in Europa.
I’m sure Arteta is a good coach, but whether he proves to be a good manager only time will tell.
Morning all.
One thing we don’t know about is what demands players contracts include.
Do they demand a certain amount of playing time, for example?
It’s possible that managers have their hands tied at times because nothing else explains certain players getting so much game time 🙂
Devil, I think Martinelli will end up leading our line.
I hope we sell Auba and keep Laca.
It’s been made obvious that the youngsters love having Laca around, and he seemed to have a new lease on life so unless we are signing a gun striker, I’d keep him.
Thanks for that DG, stats are lovely because they can prove or disprove whatever point you want to make depending on how you use them.
I don’t mind stats myself, stats like how many goals a player scores or how many appearances a player makes are fine with me, then there’s XG and assists which is the newbie trend, it’s a bit too American for me but the US is where stats rule the roost, it’s not for me although I’m not knocking it, if you like that kinda stuff then that’s cool.
DG you make some good points when comparing both Lacazette and Aubameyang but maybe the answer is simpler and that is we probably shouldn’t have signed either of them!
Great players individually who’ve given us some great moments but I do often think back to the summer we signed Ozil on the rebound, because in that summer we could and should have signed initially Higuain and he would have been great for us – and then to compound that we missed out on Suarez and he would have been sensational, just daydream for a moment and imagine Suarez and Alexis leading our attack – wow, dreams are made of that.
In retrospect I think that Ozil was a poor signing, a huge outlay and enormous wages but was he value for money? Not for me…
If you buy Higuain or Suarez you probably don’t sign Ozil but a year later you still sign Alexis, how different things could have been?
If a player demanded playing time Scott, I’d tell him to find another club.
Kev, in hindsight, there’s a lot of players we shouldn’t have signed.. 😂
Hi Rico and all Nice Wright up Devil. I believe that Emery was not given a fair chance as for Arteta I will not say anything as I will be accused of Arteta bashing.
Auba and Laca are 2 different style of players and out of the 2
I would prefer to keep Laca, he Seems to lift when playing with the younger players and is a better role model than Abu
Rico….Seaman had it written in his contract that whenever he was fit he had to play from the off. Pires had that as well.
Scott…..it depends on what formation is going to be used whether we keep Auba OR Laca OR both OR sell them. If Arteta plays the 4-2-3-1 formation its important that he keeps Laca.
But if its his 4-3-3 then he needs to sell both.
Rico, I’m just raising a possibility.
Not saying I agree with such clauses….
Morning Rico. Have the Kroenkes officially declined the Eke offer, or was there ever an offer in the first place?
Looks like Odergaard won’t be coming. I wonder where that leaves ‘the plan?’
The tension is becoming unbearable.
Hi Geoff, you are allowed an opinion. I don’t think you bash Arteta at all.
I find that hard to believe Devil, where did you read that out of interest.
I know Scott, I was just saying what I’d do.
Morning Adam.
All the guff on Twitter suggested Ek was going to up his offer but not read anything since.
Never thought Odegaard was a possibility really, certainly not since Zidane left.
Yes Rico. As ever, it’s hard to know what to believe. I added an e to Ek too. 😀
its been a long time since I read that about Seaman and Pires Rico. But I still remember it clearly.
Pires had it in his contract that he had to wear number 7 as well
I noticed Adam but you’re forgiven. 😆
Believing nothing works for me. Lol
I know what a stickler you are for spelling and punctuation Rico.
I guess the transfer market will get more and more compressed.
Ha ha Adam, but I’m totally the opposite.
Not many PL clubs have made any moves yet so perhaps it’s not just Arsenal waiting for a DD bargain. Lol
When we see a players contract negotiation last months, I dare say negotiating the purchase of a club would take a little time.
Let’s hope it happens, however long the wait.
Agree Rico. It’s hard to judge the market right now. Apart from those clubs that are forever immune from financial restraints there can’t be too much money around.
DG yesterday, in one comment, you made a point about the number of players that Wenger bought and successfully converted to a different position. Have you given thought that it could well be the case he had the same intention with Aubameyang? To answer your question, I’m convinced that we would be better off without both.
But an offer acceptance shouldn’t Scott, and I’d imagine if Ek’s offer was accepted, it’d be made public.
True, Rico but who knows if he can finance the purchase himself or if he’s looking for investors etc etc
Time will tell.
Agreed Adam, the newly promoted clubs will be busy I guess but I can’t see where Arsenal’s money will come from other than in sales.
With all his talk Scott, I got the impression he was ready to go. Who knows really..
I still wouldn’t be surprised to see EK’s offer made by EK 70% and the other 30% made up by ex-players
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Sorry DG I find your post heavy going
But saying that I do not understand Chess!!
Uefa have abolished the away goal Rulefrom the start of next season.
Bit late for us isn’t it
Cicero….I did think about it infact. However, something like that doesn’t happen in just a few weeks. Aubameyang was bought at end of January and AW retired when season ended….just 14 weeks later.
Back then many said that Aubameyang was AW’s parting gift to Arsenal supporters. I see it more as a millstone.
I wish AW never bought Aubameyang. And should have bought only Lacazette and a winger instead of Aubameyang to replace Alexis.
As things stand right now I think Arteta should sell both…. something which is evident in the post itself.
Kev…. thanks for pointing out the Suarez – higuian – Ozil scenario. I just wish I reasoned that out before and put it into the post itself. Honestly you have the basis of a post there.
Rick I will summarize it…….
Aubameyang begins the game (Lacazette was benched/out of team)…..54.66% points obtained
Aubameyang and Lacazette begin the game……51.9% points obtained.
Lacazette begins game (Aubameyang benched/out of the team)….66.6% points. obtained.
In simple statistics it means that Arsenal were better off with Aubameyang not playing. Without him in the team we got 66.6% of points available.
No wonder with him in the team it seemed we are playing with a player or two less
Hindsight is a wonderful thing Rico, I mean remember when we were desperate for the club to sign Fellaini and Samba and M’Villa?
Luckily they don’t listen to us eh?
😂
Euston certainly is a hive of activity as HS2 ploughs on regardless.
With everyone staying at home and working from home it makes you wonder who on earth is going to use it when it’s finished?
Personally I go everywhere on a Boris bike.
Brighton have accepted a 50M fee for White. Personal terms have been agreed. So expect Arsenal to announce it soon.
Kev
In the Papajhon trophy we have been drawn
against Swindon Newpot and Plymouth
Dates to be arranged.
Afternoon Rick, that’s probably why they’ve done it. Lol
Spot on there Kev…
Thanks Rick, I’m just off of Union St in Southwark at a cab drivers rest where I can get a second breath before I jump back in the madhouse that is Khan’s London.
Have a good night Kev
Mavropanis has rejoined Stuttgart on loan.
It is said to be 500k loan fee with oblication to buy for 3m if they stay up.
Bonus of 1.5 m make total fee 5m.
That’s him probably gone for good then Rick.
That’s a very good price for Mavropanos, I wonder if we’ve included any sell on clauses?
https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2021/06/24/arsenals-13-new-scholars-player-by-player-from-richards-to-cozier-duberry/
Kev, we fans also have the luxury of NOT having to make such calls lol
It’s easy for us to spend the clubs money, even hypothetically.
Just get Messi ffs 😉
Good Morning everyone.
Scrolling through NN there are situations that I am left guessing about.
Se we have Nketiah (example) who is on his last year of contract to Arsenal. And we are told that the most he will fetch (if sold) is £10M. And I remember when we had Auba on his last year we were told that the most he could fetch is £25M. And with ESR in his last 2 years Aston Villa saw fit to offer just £25M for him.
We ask for Camavinga who is IN HIS LAST YEAR and we get quoted £50M.
So what is it all about? Why is it that our players’ value is so low while other clubs’ value on players is so high?? Can anyone enlighten me about it?
Why cant we ask for such fees? Roma want Xhaka (who is not even in his last year)?? Ok ask £30M. Marseille want Guendouzi?? Ask £30M. Someone wants Leno with 2/3 years left on his contract and who is a German international? Ask £40M. Napoli want Torreira who is a Uruguayan international? Ask £30M.
Yet other clubs are skint while we are expected to pump up full price.
Something is not right surely.
The class of 21 unveiled . Good luck to them their first steps on the ladder that most will not reach the top.
Morning Devil,
You might be different to me, but I dare say you’re not.
I only look at Arsenal transfer rumours, but I’ll bet other clubs fans ask the same question about their players price tags.
Click bait.
That’s all they are mate.
Rumours are fun to discuss, but taking any of them too seriously is a fast way to a head ache 🙂
Devil it doesn’t help when the club announced that we are having a big clean out and we are going to get rid of players Arteta doesn’t want.
Another words we are sending our prayers to the reject shop were no one pays full price.
Morning Rico and all
Potter, what’s the defining factor of a player taking the next steps, in your opinion?
We’ve all seen kids in their mid teens with ridiculous talent just fade away.
Then, there are the lads who seem to be decent players, but explode.
Attitude?
Work rate?
Devil, you work with youths, what’s your take?
Geoff, what club doesn’t get rid of players their manager doesn’t want, though?
Either way, better to be rid of some players, even at a cut price.
Did the club announce a massive clean out, or did the rumour mill “leak it”??
We hear these same things every season, and I reckon about 2% of rumours work out.
Did you see we have sections of Sydney in lockdown?
Fair enough, but I am over an hour north of the joint, we haven’t had a positive here in months and WE are suddenly under restrictions.
Fukken face masks will save us from who, exactly?
The NOBODY on the central coast with Covid, or the people from certain areas in Sydney who can’t leave their area anyway?
The world has gone mad.
Morning Geoff, all.
Let’s be honest here, it’s as clear as day that Arsenal have unbalanced and inadequate squad if the club is to return to the top four. Also, Arteta said earlier in the season and again not so long ago that he needs changes to the squad and the owners were going to back him.
That’s probably why other clubs think they can get a bargain at Arsenal.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/06/25/camavinga-to-arsenal-the-emirates-is-open/
The difference with other other clubs though Scott is they don’t make things public. Wenger never used to either, in fact he was the total opposite.