Freddie Ljungberg has hinted that Alexandre Lacazette could struggle to win his place back in the Arsenal team.
The Frenchman didn’t start for the Gunners on Sunday, as they lost 3-0 to Manchester City at the Emirates, having also been left out in the 3-1 win over West Ham last Monday.
Ljungberg has preferred to play Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang on his own up front on both occasions, providing more balance in the process.
In truth, it didn’t seem to work on Sunday, with the Gunners comprehensively outplayed by City.
Speaking to beIN Sports after the game, however, Ljungberg suggested Lacazette may still struggle to get back into the team, with a two-man strike pairing not working:
Of course you need to have balance in your team. With Lacazette and Auba we tried in the first two games I was here.
We looked vulnerable defensively. But of course, they are both great players, that’s why I wanted them both on the pitch, but we became very vulnerable defensively.
So we took the route against West Ham where we changed it and played one of them and then had more defensive organisation.
And we played extremely well against West Ham and won that game very, very clearly.
Of course when you play against Man City it’s a big step up and especially you need your organisation.
Read Arsenal Verdict
Lacazette has cut a frustrated figure at times this season, struggling to earn regular playing time.
In fairness to Ljungberg, playing both the 28-year-old and Aubameyang hasn’t always worked, though.
Lacazette possesses great quality and ruthlessness in front of goal, but his work-rate and versatility doesn’t always meet the required standards.
