BBC pundit Garth Crooks has criticised Mikel Arteta’s management of Alexandre Lacazette.
Lacazette scored twice against West Brom on Saturday night as the Gunners romped to a 4-0 victory.
That makes it three straight league wins and the outlook now looks a lot brighter for Arteta after the Christmas period.
Crooks named Lacazette in his team of the week and used that opportunity to criticise Arteta’s recent use of the Frenchman in a deeper number ten role.
“It shouldn’t be difficult to play a player in his right position,” wrote Crooks. However, it seems Arteta has struggled to get a grasp of the obvious at times.
“The Arsenal manager has mixed and matched players, and even tried to put square pegs in round holes on occasions.
“Lacazette is a natural centre-forward and any other consideration is nonsense. It’s not complicated.
“The striker’s two goals suggest Arteta would do well to leave him where he is. His perpetual tamperings have cost him in the past.”
Perhaps it’s a strange time for Crooks to lay into Arteta, on the back of three straight wins.
But his management of Lacazette was confusing. Dropping him into a number ten role didn’t make sense on paper and didn’t work on grass.
It was a sign that the Spaniard was scratching around for ideas, but playing Emile Smith Rowe in the hole has worked much better in recent matches.
Lacazette is Arsenal’s top scorer this season and will hope to keep leading the line as the Gunners look to continue their recent resurgence.
- Meet Ethan Pocic’s wife Heather as Jeffree Star tweet continues to puzzle
- Michael McKean aka ‘Lenny’ of Laverne & Shirley pays tribute to Cindy Williams
- Is the Sean Payton movie on Netflix? Where to stream Home Team
- Who is Henry Anderson’s wife Saryn? Jeffree Star tweet sends fans Googling
- Who is OussiFooty? Age, real name and nationality of TikTok footballer