Martin Keown says Mikel Arteta is playing Arsenal player in the wrong position

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Martin Keown has claimed in his Daily Mail column that he believes Mikel Arteta is playing Arsenal man Alexandre Lacazette in the wrong position, and that is contributing to the Frenchman’s struggling form of late.

Lacazette, 29, has scored just four goals in 14 appearances this season – only three of which have come in the Premier League. The France international and former Lyon star has failed to score a league goal since September.

Of late, Lacazette has been playing in more of a number 10 role. He scored a stunning goal against Rapid Vienna during a 4-1 win, and he has since started in that role against Tottenham and Burnley – both of which Arsenal have lost.

It appears that with Mesut Ozil unregistered, Lacazette is being used as his replacement but Keown thinks playing the experienced striker in that role is a waste of time – and thinks bringing Ozil back would be better.

“Then there is Ozil,” Keown said. “If Arsenal stick with 4-2-1-3 the German could come back into the picture. He can be the No10 that Arsenal are missing to provide some creativity.

“At the moment Arteta is asking Lacazette to play that role but that is not the future for the Frenchman. He does not work back and tackle any more than Ozil did. Arsenal are in a crisis of confidence.”

TBR’s view – Does Lacazette have a future at Arsenal?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – although his woeful form – remains first choice. If the Gunners are to progress under Arteta, they need to bring through the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.

If that is the case, surely that leaves Lacazette with little chance of regaining his place in the side or showing Arsenal fans why he deserves to keep his place at The Emirates. Certainly, on £180,000-a-week wages (Spotrac), he is hardly proving his worth.