‘Don’t understand’: Gary Lineker dumbfounded by Mikel Arteta decision during Arsenal draw

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Gary Lineker has spoken of his bemusement at Mikel Arteta’s decision not to start Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette last night.

The Frenchman was introduced as a substitute and changed the complexion of the game in Arsenal’s favour.

Lacazette has played just 72 minutes of Premier League action this season, suggesting that Arteta doesn’t value him.

That is strange considering his 17 goals last season were more than any other Arsenal player managed throughout the campaign.

Lacazette came up trumps last night. With Arsenal trailing 2-1 deep into stoppage time, he struck to give the Gunners an unlikely point.

It proved a sickener for Crystal Palace who worked tirelessly to get themselves into the lead during a fantastic second half.

Arsenal boss Arteta had a trump card up his sleeve though. Lacazette only played 23 minutes but he was arguably the team’s best player on the night.

The £180,000-a-week player has been linked with a move away in the past. He will be out of contract in the summer and he’ll be on hell of a free transfer for someone.

This late show from the 16-cap star might just give Arteta some food for thought ahead of future Arsenal contests.

What has Lineker said about Arsenal star Lacazette?

Quite frankly, he’s dumbfounded. As a former Tottenham hero, he was perhaps rooting for Arteta’s team to lose but he clearly, doesn’t get the situation surrounding Lacazette.

Of late the Gunners have been winning games so his exclusion hasn’t been under scrutiny. Last night, Arsenal toiled for large periods and naturally, debate will be sparked.

Lacazette gives the Gunners something else in the final third. He proved a real menace in the penalty area last night and perhaps more game time is around the corner.

Arteta won’t be able to continue the one step forward, two steps back run of form. As a result, he’d perhaps be wise to heed the advice of Lineker and had Lacazette a run of games.