Emery hits back at Lacazette

Arsenal striker Lacazette has complained that he would want to get more game time.

Asked if he is happy with his current situation, Lacazette pointedly told RMC Sport: ‘I am happy when I play, of course, like any player. ‘When I’m on the pitch, of course there is joy. On the field and off, I keep smiling. You have to smile in life. ‘I do one of the most beautiful jobs in the world, even if I could be even happier.’

Emery had a stern reply ready, however.

Every player wants to play each match for 90 minutes, but as a manager I need to use the player in the best moment,” Emery said. ‘Maybe sometimes that is playing 90 minutes, maybe sometimes that is starting on the bench. But to convince the player that is very difficult. ‘When I was speaking about two important strikers, Lacazette and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, sometimes our performances are better with both, but sometimes our big performances are better with only one, and after they make an impact replacing another striker.

‘This is because the idea and the system of the opposition gives us the idea to do something different. To convince the player that is the most difficult thing, but I am very proud of both because they are scoring a lot, they are playing a lot, and sometimes they are starting as both, and sometimes they are just starting as one. ‘This is the first reason I take this decision with the players, and it’s the same reason we started playing with Cech, who gave us good performances before his injury, before we started playing [Bernd] Leno, who gave us good and important performances also’.

SEE MORE: Arsenal Marked As Unimpressive Going Into Europa League Semi-Finals