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Neville: Emery must play both star strikers

10 Sep 2018

Pundit says starting Lacazette and Aubameyang together could bring Arsenal further joy at Newcastle

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Arsenal head coach Unai Emery should stick to the winning formula of his last match and play Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the start, says Phil Neville.

After being a substitute in Arsenal's first three fixtures, Lacazette started the 3-2 win at Cardiff City, with Aubameyang moving to the left. Lacazette scored one goal and set up another for his strike partner.

Neville, a former player for Manchester United and Everton, believes fielding Lacazette and Aubameyang from kick-off for Saturday's trip to Newcastle United will aid Emery's hopes of a third consecutive victory.

"They score more goals, they have better movement," Neville says in the video above. "Defenders don't like playing against him [Lacazette] because of his little sharp, darting movements."

"Arsenal are a better side with him. They look better going forward.

"It's just a question of how long Aubameyang can sacrifice himself or be happy on the left-hand side."

Neville's argument that the Gunners attack is more dangerous when Lacazette starts is backed up by statistics.

Arsenal average 2.2 goals a match with Lacazette from kick-off, compared with 1.5 when he does not start.

Their average points won also increase with the Frenchman in the first XI, from 1.1 to 2.0. 

Arsenal in PL 2017/18 to present
  Lacazette starting Lacazette not starting
Played 27 15
Won 16 5
Drawn 5 1
Lost 6 9
Goals for 59 23
Goals/match 2.2 1.5
Win % 59.3 33.3
Points/match 2.0 1.1

 

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