Arsenal news: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang happy to be moved out wide to play with Alexandre Lacazette
Against Manchester City Arsenal markedly improved after Lacazette was brought on, with Aubameyang saying there is a ‘spark’ when the pair play together
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said that he is happy playing out wide on the left for Arsenal so that new manager Unai Emery can accommodate both him and Alexandre Lacazette in the same team.
In his first competitive game in charge of Arsenal Emery elected to leave Lacazette on the bench, with Aubameyang starting as a lone striker in the 2-0 defeat by Manchester City.
However Arsenal markedly improved when Lacazette was brought on to replace Aaron Ramsey ten minutes into the second-half, with Aubameyang moving out wide.
And Aubameyang has said that there is a “spark” when the pair are played together.
"We really get on well. There is a spark between us when we are both on the pitch together,” he told ESPN.
“We look for each other, we saw it on Sunday against City when he came on. I don't mind playing on the left if Laca is in the centre. We both want to do our best for the team.
“The message of the new coach is all about showing character, to put a lot of intensity, play high up the pitch and implement a big pressing. That's the style we will play this season.”
The Emery era did not begin as planned on Sunday, as goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva either side of half-time saw City run out easy winners.
It was a tough start for a new look Arsenal, who were playing their first game without Arsene Wenger in the dugout since 1996, but Aubameyang has said that the result has not dented their lofty ambitions for the season.
“Collectively, we want to play every competition to the maximum,” he said. “We can't hide. It would be great to end the season with one or more trophies. The league is obviously the priority because it has been a while since Arsenal won it.
“It will be complicated, though, and we know that. Personally, I want to contribute as much as possible with goals and assists. I don't have a figure in mind but I really [think] it will be a very good season like the ones I had in the past at Dortmund.”
The 29-year-old proved an immediate success when he arrived from the Westfalenstadion last season, in a club-record £56m deal.
He scored 10 goals in his first 13 Premier League matches at a rate bettered only by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, and is confident he will be even more deadly in front of goal this season with a full pre-season behind him.
“It was beneficial for me to arrive at Arsenal last January so I had six months to get used to the league, the country, the culture so I could be ready for my first full season,” he added.
“It was not easy at the beginning six months ago. It was such a big change. It was hard to find the rhythm, especially physically. But this time, I am ready. I could have done better today [Sunday] but I am staying positive. I am really feeling good.”
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