Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette can fire Arsenal to the top four, says former Gunner Paul Merson
The strikers have begun to click and have 11 goals between them this season, helping the Gunners to nine wins on the trot
Paul Merson believes Arsenal's on-fair strike duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette can fire the Gunners to a top four finish in Unai Emery’s first season in charge.
The Gunners hitmen have begun to click under their new manager and have hit 11 goals between them this season, helping Arsenal to nine wins on the trot in all competitions.
Few gave the north London side a chance of a Champions League spot ahead of the new campaign, after they ended Arsene Wenger’s final season as boss in sixth place in the Premier League.
But the Gunners now sit below joint leaders Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in fourth place, just two points adrift of the pace-setting trio.
Former midfielder Merson still believes Emery’s side have some way to go to be able to compete with those top sides.
However, he believes the top flight’s ‘lesser teams’ will be unable to stop free-scoring Aubameyang and Lacazette and has renewed hope they can seal a top four spot this season.
“Unai Emery has done great,” Merson told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“They haven’t been great along with way in certain games and they’ve rode their luck, but to win nine games on the trot is a big ask at any standard of football, so
“I do like him. He’s one of those no nonsense managers, he wont stand fools. I think he’ll be alright.
“Arsenal never looked like getting into the top four at the start of the season, but now they’ve closed the gap and people can believe they’ve got a chance, which is great.
“I agree that their defence is not great and when they play against one of the top teams I think they could get dismantled, but if they keep beating the lesser teams they will give themselves every chance of getting into the top four.
“It’s when you lose to one of the big boys and you don’t win your next game or you go three games without a win, that’s when you’re in trouble.
“But with their firepower, I just don’t see how any of the lesser teams can cope.
“I just can't see them not scoring two or three goals against those teams.”
