Report: Why Unai Emery starts Alex Iwobi ahead of Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal signed Alexandre Lacazette in the 2017 summer transfer window and he wasn’t that impressive in his first season at the Emirates Stadium. Most Arsenal fans thought that Unai Emery would use Lacazette and Aubameyang together this season since their partnership looked great at the end of last season.

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has opted to playing Alex Iwobi ahead of Alexandre Lacazette this season and the fans aren’t happy about this because they want their best players to be playing, and some believe that it is unfair for Unai Emery to bench a player like Lacazette while Alex Iwobi starts but here are the reasons why the Arsenal boss has made that decision.

1. UNAI EMERY DOESN’T WANT TO USE TWO STRIKERS

Arsenal boss Unai Emery benched Alexandre Lacazette in the first three matches into the new season and he claimed that he wants to balance the attacking and defending moments meaning it would make them poor defensively if two strikers are on the pitch.

So Unai Emery always has to start Alex Iwobi ahead of Lacazette because if he wants to include the French striker, he would have to bench Aubameyang instead of the Nigerian international.

2. UNAI EMERY’S FORMATION NEEDS JUST ONE STRIKER

Most Premier League teams are using the 4-2-3-1 formation this season and so he has to put only one striker upfront. Aubameyang is Arsenal’s top scorer so far and he always starts, and Lacazette can’t play well on the wing so it is pretty sensible to start Iwobi in that position because he is a winger.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 13: Alex Lacazette celebrates scoring the Arsenal goal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Qarabag FK at Emirates Stadium on December 13, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

3. UNAI EMERY DOESN’T WANT TO RISK LACAZETTE

This is a more recent reason why Unai Emery starts Alex Iwobi ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in the last few weeks. Arsenal recently lost Danny Welbeck to a long-term injury that will keep him out for at least six months and there are few chances of the gunners signing a new winger.

So Unai Emery can’t risk playing both of his strikers at the same time when the gunners have many matches ahead.