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Arsenal's S-O-L attacking trio the best in the league?

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Written by James Milburn in association with FPL Updates.

Wenger has challenged Alexis Sanchez (Left), Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil and to keep up their hard work after the trio were all on target against Everton.
Wenger has challenged Alexis Sanchez (Left), Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil and to keep up their hard work after the trio were all on target against Everton.

Today we look at Arsenals most exciting and expensive signings in their history. These are of course there front three attack force in the names of Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez & Mesut Ozil.

Worth the wait?

Arsenal fans and fantasy managers have had to wait over two months into the season for the Gunners most expensive attacking force in the club’s history to start the same game.

The trio cost a combined £119M with Alexandre Lacazette leading the way at £46.5M, Mesut Ozil coming in at £42.4M and surprisingly Alexis Sanchez the cheapest at £35M.

Last time out

Arsenals kicked off last weekend’s super Sunday with a 5-2 win over Everton, leading to the sacking of Ronald Koeman. However, the visitors started off behind, with Wayne Rooney (12) scoring from range. The Gunners did not manage to find an equaliser until the 40th minute with an second goal in three weeks for Spaniard Nacho Monreal who finished from a rebound.

It then took until after the interval for an advantage to be gained through a Mesut Ozil header, supplied by Alexis Sanchez’s cross. Idrissa Gueye was sent to the changing rooms with a second yellow card midway through the second half. Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette also got on the score sheet along with Aaron Ramsey to make it 4-1.

With a massive slip up in defence Oumar Niasse managed to grab a consolation goal to make it 4-2 in injury time. However, Alexis Sanchez scored a fantastic individual goal in the 95th minute to win the game for Arsenal.

READ MORE: Who you should captain in Gameweek 10


How do they compare to Manchester City’s front three?

Mesut Ozil vs Kevin de Bruyne – Arguably, the pair are the two most creative playmakers on their respective teams but they possess very different styles of football. Ozil, being a natural central attacking midfielder, likes to sit in space where he has time to pick out the inch perfect passes to the forwards.

Whereas, Kevin de Bruyne is a lot more direct with plenty of movement, creating runs into space and playing quick one touch passes to teammates. Both are effective on the pitch but for me it is their respective performances this season that separate the two, with De Bruyne up there putting an early claim on Player of the Season. However, in GW10 Ozil will be key to Arsenals attacking threat and has the potential to gain points against Swansea City on Saturday.

Alexis Sanchez vs Gabriel Jesus – With one a naturally gifted striker (Jesus) and the other a versatile winger (Sanchez), they’re tough to compare. However, Sanchez making a solid return to the Premier League, with three assists and a goal in his last four starts could make him a good option this week. The biggest factor is guaranteed minutes. Sanchez will play every minute possible whereas Jesus is regularly withdrawn early and sometimes even doesn’t feature at all.

Alexandre Lacazette vs Sergio Aguero – It seems that both strikers are popular choices coming up to GW10 and rightly so. Lacazette has a lot to give for Arsenal and has been adapting to the league. I think once given the time he’ll score for fun and with his vision I can see him grab a few assists to. However, with Aguero basically back to full fitness and having scored midweek, I think he’ll start and punish a struggling West Brom side. If you can fit both strikers in for GW10, I’d make that move.

READ MORE: How to win money playing fantasy football with Yahoo Daily Fantasy


Which fab-3 will win on November 5?

These two front lines meet in early November for a showdown and a master class of attacking football. Both Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger will set out to win unlike Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

It’ll be interesting to see all the individuals mentioned today play their own game and try to outshine the others. Personally, on their day Manchester City can beat anyone, especially at the Etihad. In terms of fantasy teams, it’ll be tough to decide whether to go full coverage on one team or include players from both. For example, De Bruyne and Lacazette, Ozil and Silva or Aguero and Jesus. Whatever the combination, it will be expensive!

The last time the teams met was during the FA Cup semi-final in April 2017. Arsenal pulled through 2-1, with goals scored from Nacho Monreal and Sanchez. Aguero pulled one back for City but couldn’t grab an equaliser. Manchester City are averaging over 3.5 goals a game currently while Arsenal are without Shkodran Mustafi, meaning Per Mertesacker could start against City’s pacey attack.

READ MORE: Is it time to treble up on Manchester City assets?