A few thoughts on Aubameyang through the middle: the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced it is the right move. Not necessarily to burnish his numbers, but because I think it spreads Arsenal’s bets a little more wisely.

In any attack, there is a goalscoring burden and a creative burden. Aubameyang flanking Lacazette is an attempt to share the goalscoring burden, but it leaves the third member of the front three carrying the creative burden (with the full-backs supplementing).

Maybe that can work with a peak Ozil type, but for reasons of age and profile Saka, Willian, Pepe or Nelson (not playing, but hyphoteical) cannot fill this void alone.

However, Aubameyang *is* capable of carrying the goalscoring burden alone.

Which then frees up two spots for the players mentioned above to share some of the creative responsibility. Rely on the star and take the heat off the support cast.

*hypothetical.