Arsenal signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will have ‘direct consequences’ for Arsenal’s French strikers, according to Monday’s L’Equipe.
The French publication says both Alexandre Lacazette and Olivier Giroud will struggle if the Gunners make the new signing.
They talk about Lacazette’s “unsatisfactory performances in recent weeks” and claim Arsenal “will relegate [Lacazette] to number 2 in the hierarchy” with Aubameyang around.
Meanwhile, they say Olivier Giroud wants to remain in London, despite links to a Dortmund move.
They write that the French international wants to stay “for family reasons”, which could mean “the door is ajar” for a move to Chelsea, as long as Arsenal don’t oppose it.
Lacazette’s start to life with the Gunners has been a mixed one.
With just one game remaining in January, the striker still hasn’t scored 10 goals.
Then again, he’s linked up with his teammates impressively, and brought more than just finishing.
Plus, Arsene Wenger regularly took the striker off before the end of matches at first. That clearly had an impact on the 26-year-old’s goalscoring, as he couldn’t find his rhythm.
Perhaps bringing in Aubameyang can help get the best out of Lacazette.
The Frenchman will certainly still play in the Europa League, where the Dortmund man is cup-tied. We’ll have to wait and see how things work out if and when the Gabon international joins.
Meanwhile, I think Arsenal should think twice before loaning/selling Giroud to Chelsea.
Keeping players happy is nice, and something Wenger always tries to do even if it means letting a player leave, but I wouldn’t advise selling to a rival for that reason alone.
There’s no point selling if all it means is Chelsea get stronger.
If Dortmund want the 31-year-old, in order to let go of Aubameyang, that’s another matter entirely and it would be better for Arsenal to keep an unhappy, non-playing Giroud than allow him to cross London.
Imagine selling two of your best strikers to two rivals in the same window.
Would any other club even consider it?