Arsenal picked up an invaluable 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon with Bukayo Saka scoring the only goal of the game. But just 24 hours later, the Gunners were reminded of a decision they might live to regret.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was released on a free by Mikel Arteta in January, and he led the line for Barcelona in Sunday's El Clasico bout. Real Madrid hosted the Catalan outfit at the Santiago Bernabeu, but they suffered a heavy defeat.
After 90 minutes of competition, Xavi's new-look side had won 4-0. Aubameyang scored twice bringing his total number of goals at his new club to nine in 11 appearances, and he also registered a further assist.
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsdale confirmed out of England squad as Arsenal assess goalkeeper's injury
The Gabonese international is thriving in La Liga and many onlookers are now debating as to whether Arsenal might have made a mistake in letting him go, but it is reasonable to suggest that despite Aubameyang's form, Alexandre Lacazette is still more suited to the make-up at the Emirates Stadium.
The Frenchman isn't exactly inclined to score a wealth of goals like Aubameyang, but his suitability to helping those around him is what makes him highly valuable to the team.
Over the past 12 months, Lacazette has behaved like a false nine of sorts. He's dropped into midfield on a regular basis, and improved Arsenal's ability to progress into the areas that matter by providing a link in the final third.
Crucially, his tendency to retreat into deeper areas has aided the forward movements of players such as Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith-Rowe, each of whom are quick and able to threaten in behind by making penetrative runs.
With Lacazette up front, Arteta's system is working better than it did before. Aubameyang, despite his quality in the penalty box, has a different skill set to the French striker, as he's more focused on finishing moves rather than sacrificing himself by drifting into deeper areas.
Instead of dropping back, Aubameyang tends to do the opposite. He stretches defences by teasing opponents with his speed and although that can be valuable, it didn't maximise the potential of Saka and Martinelli.
Lacazette has added variety to Arteta's possession game and with him up top, the Gunners have appeared fluid and free-flowing. Regardless of whether Aubameyang continues to prosper in Spain, Arsenal needed something different from their striker and their current choice is showing it.
