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‘Don’t play enough’: Hoddle claims Arsenal would become a ‘real force’ if duo played upfront

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Glenn Hoddle told Premier Productions on Optus Sport on Sunday that Arsenal will become ‘a real force’ if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette played upfront together.

Arsenal recorded a 3-0 win against Sheffield United on Sunday evening, with Lacazette netting a brace and Aubameyang missing the matchday squad altogether because of an injury.

Usually, when Aubameyang and Lacazette play together, the former ends up on the left, which worked last season but hasn’t during this campaign.

But Hoddle wants to see the two playing up top, which he thinks will make Arsenal a ‘massive threat’.

“For me, I look at Arsenal and I think ‘how can I get Aubaymeyang and Lacazette on the pitch together?’ Playing up top.

“I think if you get them up the top of the pitch, you then have got to get the system right behind, and then I think they will be a massive threat.

“They seem to dovetail or Aubameyang has to play out on the left-hand side then has to get back and defend quite a bit.

“So, for me, those two would be a real force upfront and then, for me, they don’t play enough together in those positions.”

Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

A lot will rest on Thursday’s game against Slavia Prague because if Arsenal are knocked out then Mikel Arteta won’t be the only one under pressure in North London.

Arsenal fans will be hoping that Aubameyang is back for that fixture, and if he does, then it will be interesting to see if he starts.

Going by recent performances, he doesn’t deserve that starting berth, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Arteta pushes for experience on Thursday.