Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell thinks that the Gunners should play Olivier Giroud and Alexandre Lacazette alongside each other.
So far the pair have only taken to the pitch together when one of them is substituted on, as generally one of the two has started. Kevin Campbell thinks they could work together, as he clearly rates Giroud, saying (via Express): “He’s not everybody’s cup of tea is Giroud but he’s always there when it counts.
“He starts for France instead of Lacazette. I think he’s a very underrated player and I’d like to see him and Lacazette together to be honest. But the squad maybe can’t accommodate both of them.”
Giroud has shown how well he can play in a two-man strike partnership with his performances for France alongside Antoine Griezmann. The pair clearly both benefit from working together, and hypothetically Lacazette and Olivier could form a similar partnership.
However, as Campbell points out, the squad doesn’t necessarily accommodate both players.
The main problem I can see is how you’d fit both players in with Alexis Sanchez. If they’re a front three then that means Lacazette playing a wide role, something most fans don’t want to see.
If Lacazette and Giroud are a two-up-top, and Özil is the 10 behind them when he returns, then Alexis is forced a lot deeper, which could significantly reduce his goal threat. Plus, it would mean relying on his defensive contribution, which in my opinion is extremely overrated.
The Chilean presses well, but from what I’ve seen he doesn’t get back into defensive formation with any sense of urgency, and doesn’t seem to have the patience to stay organised.
For now, I think we’ll continue to see a front three, as it plays to the strengths of all four players mentioned, which means we’ll probably only see one of Giroud and Lacazette at a time.
But, while they’re both scoring, as they have been this week, that’s fine with me.