Arsenal manager Unai Emery has defended his decision to substitute Alexandre Lacazette against Fulham.
The Gunners strolled to a 4-1 victory at home to the Premier League strugglers on New Year’s Day, bouncing back from a heavy defeat at Liverpool in style.
Lacazette opened the scoring for the hosts, but as has been the case of late, he was taken off before the final whistle.
The decision was met with boos with 15 minutes remaining, but his replacement Aaron Ramsey did swiftly make it 3-1.
Speaking after the game, Emery defended the substitution, saying it was a tactical move that paid off handsomely:
“Tactically, we were thinking that in that moment we needed to change to get more balance.”
“Above all else, we know [Fulham midfielder] Jean Michael Seri very well and we needed to get a player close to him, to not let him play with the ball very easily.”
“When Aaron Ramsey came onto the pitch, he could do that and can also help us in attacking moments – and he scored.”
“The reason for the decision was this and I need to do my work. Every supporter can think different things tactically, but for me today, Lacazette worked very well, scored and he helped us.”
“His reaction was very positive.”
Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Blackpool in the FA Cup third round on Saturday evening.