Three talking points from Arsenal 0-1 Leicester

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang


Time for Auba down the middle? Talking points from Arsenal 0-1 Leicester


By Paul Martin

Arsenal could have ended the day in the top four had they beaten Leicester at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Leicester and Jamie Vardy had other ideas, consigning Mikel Arteta's side to a second straight 1-0 league defeat which left the Gunners in tenth. If Spurs beat Burnley tonight, Arsenal will slip into the bottom half.

Check out the talking points from a flat performance in N7…
Auba down the middle?

Arsenal drew a blank for the second weekend in a row – is it time for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play a more central role?

That may seem harsh on Alexandre Lacazette, who has scored three goals in five Premier League games this season, but the Frenchman missed a gilt-edged chance on Sunday and looked below his best.

Ultimately, Aubameyang is Arsenal’s most potent attacking threat and it may be time to see how effective he can be down the middle.

His winner at Rapid Wien in midweek was an example of his poaching abilities and Arteta must try something different to again start getting the best out of the Gabon international.

Yes, he scored 22 league goals from his current position last season but one in six this time around suggests all is not working as planned. 
Vardy… again

Vardy has made a habit out of scoring against Arsenal – particularly since turning a move to the Emirates down in 2016 – and his winner on Sunday took his tally to 11 in 12 games against the Gunners.

Not many of them would have been simpler than this one, with Shkodran Mustafi nowhere to be seen as Vardy converted a free header to wrap up the three points for his side.

This was a worrying cameo from the German centre-half, who looked off the pace after coming off the bench and appeared to ignore Gabriel's instruction to stay with Vardy in the build-up to the goal.

Mustafi has reportedly rejected Arsenal’s offer of a contract extension – which may not cause too many sleepless nights around North London. Surely it is time to see what the £27m William Saliba can do?
Europa fatigue?

Arsenal rung the changes in midweek but several players – including Thomas Partey, who was quieter on Sunday after a superb debut – appeared in both games and Arteta believes an element of tiredness played a part in the weekend’s defeat.

"Fatigue had a say," he said.

"We didn't look as sharp on the ball. We didn't have much purpose on the ball. Credit to them, they are really organised and it's difficult to create chances. It's an aspect we have to improve on."

Arsenal should have a big enough squad to cope with the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday and they will have to get up to speed quickly, with the next two Europa League group games taking place in the next fortnight.

With Premier League games against Manchester United and Aston Villa following those matches, any element of fatigue is likely to be punished again – which could leave Arteta’s side with plenty of catching up to do.

The unpredictable start to this campaign across the division means Arsenal are just four points off the top despite an indifferent run, and they cannot start using Europa League commitments as an excuse for not performing domestically.

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