Lacazette hails Arsenal strike partnership with ‘brother’ Aubameyang

Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (R) celebrates with Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (L) after scoring the team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage in London on October 7, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS/

Alexandre Lacazette has spoken of his growing understanding with his “brother” Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the forwards propelled Arsenal into the top four of the Premier League.

The Gunners won 5-1 at Fulham on Sunday to record nine successive victories in all competitions, moving two points off the top of the Premier League table in the process.

Lacazette and Aubameyang scored two goals each, with Aaron Ramsey netting the other one for the visitors.

France international Lacazette joined Arsenal last year for a then-club record fee but Aubameyang set a new mark of £56 million ($73 million) when he joined from Borussia Dortmund in January.

Aubameyang’s arrival cast doubt on Lacazette’s future at the club but the pair have clicked on and off the pitch, mustering 11 goals between them this season.

“It is good,” Lacazette said of his relationship with Gabon international Aubameyang.

“He is like my brother. Every day we talk, we love to work together and today in front of the goal and we score, for us, two goals, which is good.”

Aubameyang has scored 16 goals in his first 23 appearances for Arsenal — a better start to life at the club than record goalscorer Thierry Henry.

“It is hard to compare (Aubameyang’s record) with Thierry because he came younger and Auba is at the top of his career but I hope Auba scores as many goals to help us win something,” Lacazette said.

Arsenal are in fourth spot heading into the international break, with growing hopes among fans that they can return to the Champions League next season after missing out for two years.

Despite the hot streak, Lacazette insists it is too early to talk of securing a return to the Premier League’s top four.

“We have to keep quiet and work like we did before and the season is going well,” he said. “Just work as we did and we will see at the end of the season.

“The team spirit is good, of course when you win it is better. We will enjoy it, we are working well and we want to continue like this.”