When Danny Welbeck was on the pitch, his underwhelming performance wasn’t the main issue—the real problem was how poorly he fit into Arsenal’s tactical system. In the 60th minute, the game finally took a positive turn for the Gunners. Arsène Wenger made the long-awaited decision to substitute Welbeck with Alexandre Lacazette, and the impact was immediate.
Lacazette’s introduction brought Arsenal’s attack to life. All four of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s shooting chances came after Lacazette entered the match, and that was no coincidence. Arsenal’s offensive identity leans heavily on technique, quick passing, and coordinated movement—qualities Welbeck struggles to provide. Unlike Lacazette and Aubameyang, Welbeck relies more on physicality and less on finesse, making it harder for him to link up effectively with playmakers like Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Özil.
In truth, Lacazette’s return to action felt like the final piece of Arsenal’s tactical puzzle. Since Alexis Sánchez’s departure in the winter transfer window, Arsenal had brought in both Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan. Combined with Lacazette, who joined the previous summer, the trio had yet to truly click as a unit. Injuries played their part—Lacazette had been sidelined for nearly two months—but now, with him back, Arsenal appeared ready to launch a final push for the UEFA Europa League title. For the club, that trophy could well define their season.
Welbeck’s time on the field highlighted Arsenal’s struggles. With him up front, Aubameyang was often forced wide, and dangerous passes rarely reached the feet of the strikers. As a result, the opposing goalkeeper was rarely troubled. Welbeck’s start may have been due to squad rotation ahead of the crucial clash with CSKA Moscow, but in his 60 minutes, he managed just a single shot.
Before Lacazette came on, Arsenal had recorded only seven attempts on goal. After his substitution, they fired 17 shots in just 30 minutes—a clear shift in momentum. In the 57th minute, Welbeck’s lone chance came after chesting down a pass from Aaron Ramsey in the box, only to fire wide of the near post. A few minutes earlier, Ramsey had burst into the box but was denied, with Welbeck’s follow-up also falling flat. That moment felt like a microcosm of his overall performance.
As the first half ended, the Emirates Stadium echoed with boos. The fans’ frustration was evident, and so was the need for change. Lacazette provided it—and may have reignited Arsenal’s hopes not only in Europe but also in matching the tactical consistency seen in global sporting events like the BD Cricket Match. With such momentum, the Gunners are now better positioned to mirror the resilience and precision often displayed in a high-stakes BD Cricket Match, where every move can make or break the outcome.