The Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern really don’t want to welcome CSKA Moscow to The Emirates tomorrow with Danny Welbeck leading the line. Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench on Sunday against Stoke and scored a late penalty to make the score 3-0 and now the fans want to see the Frenchman lead the line in what promises to be the Gunners’ biggest game of the season so far.
So boss, is @LacazetteAlex fit to start in #AFCvCSKA?
“Lacazette is ready to start, yes. I have not decided yet if he will or not, but he’s available and ready to start” pic.twitter.com/o47UuDvzVO
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 4 April 2018
The Europa League is turning into Arsenal’s only hope of their season being deemed successful. Arsene Wenger’s side have almost no chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season through their league position as they find themselves 6th and 13 points behind their arch-rivals Tottenham in 4th with just seven games left to play. If Arsenal can work their way past CSKA Moscow and into the last four of the Europa League then Champions League football will become a real possibility for the North Londoners.
Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January window for a club record fee, breaking the record set just six months earlier when they opted to bring Alexandre Lacazette in summer. Although Aubameyang is cup-tied in Europe having dropped down into the Europa League after finishing 3rd in his Champions League group with Borussia Dortmund. Not having Aubameyang is obviously a big miss for Arsenal in Europe, but without the Gabonese forward, Lacazette will need to shine for The Gunners if they’re to succeed in Europe this season.
You can read our local arsenal fans verdict on Lacazette here:
He hasn’t DECIDED?! Are you crazy? If he chooses Fellbeck over Lacazette he has to leave!!!!
— LachieC8 (@LachieArsenal8) April 4, 2018
Don’t even try it, Wenger. Laca starts or you face consequences
— Basil (@basilabia) 4 April 2018
Oh god. Don't tell me you'd rather start Welbeck than Laca?
— Anshul (@AnshulKaria) April 4, 2018
Start him instead of welbeck
— WessLee (@wesstome) April 4, 2018
Obviously not going to say whether he's starting or not. Best not to show your hand early.
— Kieran van den Hurk (@Kieran_vdH) April 4, 2018
Start him for sure, he’ll be on fire
— Andy B (Gooner) (@andchatay4855) April 4, 2018
He’s gotta start and he has to have 90 minuets. His confidence was ruined by guaranteed 70th minute substitutions that came regardless of his performance
— Godfrey Lusiba (MPS) (@Godfreylusiba11) April 4, 2018
You already know he's gonna start when Arsene says it this way. He just wants to keep Laca on his toes during preparation.
— BadGuy (@LongJeff_) April 4, 2018
