Arsene Wenger has blamed Alexandre Lacazette’s confidence issues on the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, completely ignoring the role he played in shattering it before the Gabonese forward arrived.

Lacazette was a second half sub against Spurs on Saturday and despite making more chances in 25 minutes than Aubameyang managed in 90, the Frenchman was targeted on social media for his misses.

A man devoid of confidence, Laca is weighed down with by the lack of faith he has been shown since he arrived at Arsenal as the then club-record signing.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal shoots and misses during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Before Auba arrived, Lacazette had completed 90 minutes in the league just seven times, often being hooked with the team were in desperate need of a goal.

Eased into life in the Premier League because he apparently needed to acclimatise, he watched on as Auba was named in the starting lineup for the game against Everton just days after he arrived while he was benched.

Auba was then allowed to stay on the pitch for the full 90, despite Arsenal running away with the game, while Laca watched on wondering how many confidence-inspiring goals he might have scored against Everton.

“Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him,” Wenger said after the game against Spurs as if he wasn’t the one to bring Lacazette’s usurper to the club.

Or maybe, Arsene, just maybe, his confidence was shot before that even happened because of how you have treated him.