‘Friendship with Auba helps us on the pitch’

Alex Lacazette says that his friendship with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is helping the duo combine on the pitch.

The camaraderie throughout our squad is strong, and Auba and Laca have really hit it off since the latter arrived in London in January.

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On Sunday they both scored against Cardiff City, with Lacazette setting up his friend before smashing in the winner.

“When you’re friends off the pitch, it’s easier for you to play well together on it,” said the France striker.

“We work a lot in training, every day we work together and with the other players as well. Today it was good because I could assist his goal and it was a good finish from him.

“We work every day and it’s not only with Auba, it’s with Aaron as well.

“I wanted to start well and prove to the coach that I could be in the first XI,” Lacazette added. “I started for the first time this season, so I was happy. Even if we made some mistakes, I think it was a good game.

“He [Emery] wants us to keep the ball and possession. Today we made a lot of mistakes, even though he told us before to be careful. If we listen to what we asks us, then we can do a lot.”