How will Arsenal line up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal. How will the Gunners line up if they complete a deal for the forward?

While Arsenal continue to negotiate with Manchester United (and Henrikh Mkhitaryan) to finalize a deal that will send Alexis Sanchez to Old Trafford, they’ve been linked with a move for one of Europe’s most prolific forwards, Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. As good a player as Aubameyang is, his arrival would pose some interesting tactical questions. How would Arsene Wenger employ the Gabonese international?

Wenger has long been devoted to a three-forward lineup with one striker flanked by two wide forwards. Alexandre Lacazette has settled into the striker role nicely this season, and a combination of Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck have provided support from wider areas. With Aubemayang’s arrival, however, we may see a change in formation, or at a least reconfiguration of the front three.

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Lacazette’s contributions so far certainly justify his place in the starting XI, and it seems unlikely Wenger will relegate his most prized and pricey summer acquisition to the bench after only five months of play. What’s more likely is that Wenger goes with two up front, to be supported by an attacking midfielder. If Arsenal fans’ prayers are answered and he signs a new contract, that attacking midfielder will almost certainly be Ozil.

Given the qualities of Aubameyang and Lacazette, Wenger may envision a strike partnership with one forward being given the freedom to roam and look for space out wide and in behind, while the other plays a more pivot-like position. With his speed and comfort running at defenders with the ball, Aubameyang seems well suited to the former role, while Lacazette has shown enough comfort with his back to goal and exploiting smaller spaces in the box to play as the pivot.

This change in lineup would also make sense given Olivier Giroud’s presence on the roster. The Frenchman will be able to fill in seamlessly off the bench for either of the two forwards as his skill set is better as a replacement for a central forward than a wide player.

Although Arsenal probably need more help in defense than they do in attack, a fresh new look featuring one of the most sought after forwards in the game should be very beneficial for the club. Replacing a distracted, unsettled Sanchez with Aubameyang can be considered a win for the north London club. The tactical kinks should work themselves out over time.