Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Alexandre Lacazette's confidence may have been damaged by arrival of £56m striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

  • Alexandre Lacazette missed a late opportunity in Arsenal's defeat by Tottenham
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was preferred in attack by manager Arsene Wenger
  • The Frenchman has scored only nine goals since his £53million summer arrival
  • Lacazette blew his chance against Spurs after coming off the bench late on 

Arsene Wenger admits the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may have affected the confidence of team-mate Alexandre Lacazette.

The French striker, who has scored only nine goals in 29 games since his £53million summer arrival from Lyon, missed a glorious late chance against Tottenham on Saturday.

Lacazette was a second-half substitute for Wenger's side at Wembley, with club-record signing Aubameyang preferred in attack.

Arsene Wenger believes Alexandre Lacazette's confidence may not be 'at its highest'

Arsene Wenger believes Alexandre Lacazette's confidence may not be 'at its highest'

The French striker missed a glorious late chance to level Saturday's north London derby

The French striker missed a glorious late chance to level Saturday's north London derby

And the Arsenal boss believes the newfound competition for places could have damaged Lacazette mentally.


'For him, one against one with the goalkeeper, he is a good goalscorer,' Wenger said.

'He has gone through difficult periods before. He works hard in training, works on his finishing.

'I don't know what happened, did he not touch the ball well? It can happen, it is a fraction of a second.

'Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him.'

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was preferred in attack by Wenger for the Wembley showdown

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was preferred in attack by Wenger for the Wembley showdown

Arsenal's boss admitted Lacazette might be low 'because he has seen a competitor coming in'

Arsenal's boss admitted Lacazette might be low 'because he has seen a competitor coming in'