When Alexandre Lacazette signed for Arsenal, it was for a reported club record deal that was said to have been worth £52-million over the duration of his 5-year contract. However, and a disappointing first season at The Emirates, a struggle for a place in the starting line-ups, caused in part by a spell out through injury, fueled speculation that he could be destined to leave the Gunners in the near future.
That is now a thing of the past.
The 27-year old Frenchman began his professional career with Olympique Lyon. He joined them as an 18-year-old in 2009 and he grew in stature and confidence. In 2013/2014 he netted 15-goals the Ligue 1 side, following on in 2014/2015 with 27 goals. His best season to date was 2016/2017 when he scored 37 goals across the board for club and country.
As a striker for Lyon, he played in 275 matches, scoring 129 goals, and notching up 43 assists. An impressive record by anyone’s standards.
ALEX LACAZETTE SPEAKS WITH ARSENAL LEGEND IAN WRIGHT
For his country, Lacazette has performed at all levels, from the under-16s to the senior side, scoring a total of 23 goals. But the Frenchman was left out of the squad for the World Cup. Manager Didier Deschamps preferred Florian Thauvin and Nabil Fekir over Lacazette and Martial, both whose forms were at the time below par at club level.
So far this season, the French forward has scored six times and has shown some fine form. Under the watchful eye of new manager Unai Emery, he is getting back to his best and is now a regular choice in the starting line-up.
Any further uncertainty about a possible move for Lacazette has now ruled out by the terrible injury suffered by Danny Welbeck. The 27-year-old was stretchered off after he broke his right ankle in the recent Europa League tie with Sporting Lisbon.He will be sorely missed.
Welbeck has already scored five goals for the Gunners this season and was included in England’s squad to face the USA and Croatia. He has just undergone a second, successful operation of the injured ankle, but according to Emery, it is too early to predict when he will be able to play again.
Welbeck’s absence means more certainty for both Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with regard to their automatic selection – at least for now. This is good news for both, but for the Frenchman in particular. It also comes on the back of reassurances from the club that they have no intention of letting him go next summer.
As for Welbeck, he could well have played his last game for The Gunners. The latest rumors are that Unai Emery will be looking to sign Nicolas Pepe, the Lille winger in the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, the partnership that Lacazette has developed with Aubameyang looks like the real deal, despite the misgivings that Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn voiced in an earlier interview.
If Emery continues with the notion of a two-pronged attack formation, these two could become one of the most feared striker pairings in the Premiership and Arsenal could well be challenging for a trophy this season.
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