0 passes all game: Arsenal flop doing a “Sanogo impression” must now never start again - opinion

There are a very particular set of curses that linger in the damp and murky spots of Arsenal’s London Colney training base.

Not only are the Gunners currently allergic to a Champions League spot, but the fortunes of some individuals that put pen to paper in the back offices at Colney aren’t always vibrant.

A captaincy curse has plagued the club for well over a decade now with the likes of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas seemingly revolting while in possession of the armband.

The same eventuality befell Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka and more recently Pierre-Emerick Aubayemang.

Yet, it has now fallen on the shoulders of a certain Alexandre Lacazette. There is no player revolt or dampened attitude, but since taking on the captaincy from his great mate who now plays for Barcelona, he has scored just one Premier League goal.

Not only is he suffering from the increased pressure of being the Arsenal captain but it would appear the dreaded number 9 curse has struck the French forward this term too.

Those who donned the famous jersey before him; Lucas Perez, Lukas Podolski and Park Chu Young, hardly enjoyed profitable spells in north London and it seems Lacazette is drinking from the same cup as his predecessors.

With his contract due to expire at the conclusion of the season, there is a sense that he won’t renew his deal. That doesn’t particularly feel like a bad piece of news for Arsenal but after the club’s 4-2 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night, his days in red and white are now surely well and truly numbered.

When Aubemayang departed for Catalonia in January, there was a seismic weight placed on the 30-year-old and it’s simply one he’s not been able to carry.

His performances have dwindled and after a fight with the