The Premier League questions that will be answered after the international break

[ASFN Admin]

After a long and arduous international break, the Premier League returns on Saturday. In case you have forgotten where we left things a fortnight ago, here are some key talking points to get you back up to speed. Will Mikel Arteta play Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through the middle? Arsenal's attacking problems are defined by an unfortunate double whammy: they do not create enough chances and the chances they do create fall to the wrong players. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken fewer shots in the Premier League this season than Harry Maguire, Chris Wood and Yves Bissouma and his expected goals per 90 minutes puts him 65th in the division. He has not scored from open play in the Premier League since the opening weekend against Fulham. Whether he plays from the left, right or at centre-forward, Arsenal need Aubameyang to be the player on the end of moves and at present that is not materialising. Mikel Arteta has been reluctant to use Aubameyang at No 9, apart from a 20-minute spell against Sheffield United when Arsenal scored twice and played their best football of the season. It seems that Arsenal's lack of presence between the lines in attacking midfield areas is a factor in Arteta's thinking, requiring the striker to drop deep in order to compensate. When asked about starting Aubameyang centrally, Arteta said: "It will depend on who he’s surrounded with," hinting at these considerations. If you're going to utilise a striker in that way, it makes some sense to sacrifice Alexandre Lacazette and leave your truly elite goalscorer in a freer role from the flank. That's the thinking at least, although playing a striker on the left also has adverse effects on a team's build-up play. With the attack not functioning and Lacazette out of form, maybe it is time to re-imagine the centre-forward role and trust any two of Bukayo Saka, Nicolas Pepe, Willian and even Joe Willock or Reiss Nelson to link play and offer a degree of creativity. Sharing the goalscoring burden between Aubameyang and Lacazette has not worked, so play an extra wide player or midfielder to share the creative burden more evenly. Arsenal probably need a signing or two to fully solve their creativity block but they are capable of better than they have produced so far. It's on Arteta to bring that out of his team.

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