Darren Bent has told talkSPORT that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a ‘passenger’ for Arsenal this season and believes that Alexandre Lacazette is the superior player.
Lacazette posted a man-of-the-match display on Sunday as Arsenal thumped Sheffield United 3-0 at Bramall Lane, scoring twice.
In doing so, the France international now has one more goal than Aubameyang this season, with the Gabon international – who has netted 14 times since September – sitting out the trip to the Blades due to being ‘unwell’ according to Mikel Arteta.
The Spanish coach has a difficult decision to make on Thursday as Arsenal visit Slavia Prague in a quarter-final of the Europa League.
Lacazette is certainly the form horse but Aubameyang almost single-handedly fired the Gunners to FA Cup glory nine months ago.
But Bent has intimated that Arteta should stick with the former Lyon hitman as far as the number nine option goes.
He told talkSPORT: “There’s time when if he hasn’t scored, he’s like a passenger. At times they’re playing with 10 men. One thing you’ll get from Lacazette is yeah he might not score the same amount of goals, but I think he offers a lot more in terms of his hold-up play, brings people into the game. I think sometimes Arsenal do look better without him [Aubameyang].”
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