Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has defended Alexandre Lacazette after the forward came in for criticism after the Gunners’ 3-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.
The Frenchman missed a sitter when the visitors had just one goal lead and Ollie Watkins punished Arsenal’s charity by scoring a two goals in the second half.
Arsenal were well below-par against Aston Villa and Lacazette came in for huge criticism on social media for his role in the disappointing defeat.
The former Lyon striker scored three goals in his first three matches of the campaign but he hasn’t found the net in any of his last six matches for the London side.
But, rather than criticising the striker, Mikel Arteta says he and his staff must do more to ‘help’ underperforming players like Lacazette.
‘My job is to get the best out of the players and put them in the best possible scenarios,’ said Arteta. ‘If they’re not performing it’s because we have to help them more.’
When asked if he’ll consider changing his front three of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Willian and Alexandre Lacazette, Arteta said he’ll continue to analyse the team’s attack.
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‘We will consider those things when we look back at all the games we played since the last international break,’ said Arteta.
‘It depends on whose in good form, good spirits and we will try to make the right adjustments.’
