BIG YANG THEORY

Wenger: Struggling Lacazette has been intimidated by the arrival of Auba

ARSENE WENGER says Gunners striker Alexandre Lacazette is suffering from a crisis of confidence.

Lacazette, who wasted two late chances to steal a point for Arsenal after coming on as sub in the north London derby, has struggled to adapt to English football since his £52million arrival from Lyon last summer. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, selected ahead of Lacazette against Spurs, now looks top dog at the Emirates and Wenger believes the 28-year-old’s arrival from Dortmund has intimidated his strike partner.

The Gunners boss said: “Maybe his confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in. But, one against one, he is still a good goalscorer. He has gone through difficult periods before.

“He works hard in training and works on his finishing. He created two chances against Spurs. That is a quality as well. He is a goalscorer who has scored goals in his whole career. He will score again.” Lacazette will at least get a

chance when Arsenal play Ostersunds in the Europa League on Thursday because Aubameyang is ineligible. Wenger also confirmed that he will take a strong team to Sweden, despite the snow and freezing conditions, as winning the Europa League could be their best chance of making the Champions League.

Wenger said: “I would have gone for it anyway, especially as we have no game between the two matches. I will play the normal team because we don’t play in the FA Cup. There is no reason why I should rest players.”

Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin was critical of the team’s approach against Tottenham but insisted there is time to turn the season around.

Bellerin said: “In the first half we were just waiting for things to happen. If we can’t play our game things don’t go our way so we have to learn, but there are plenty of games left.”