The lack of a prolific goalscorer has been an issue at the Emirates Stadium for some time, since the days of Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, Olivier Giroud has gone some way towards remedying the problem, but only 12 Premier League goals last season suggests that Arsenal need a striker who will break the 20 goal mark. A striker that may just make the difference in their fleeting quest for the title.
Arsenal’s interest over the summer in Alexandre Lacazette was of course high profile, though after West Ham United’s failed £32million bid it was no surprise that Arsenal failed in their pursuit, tabling an offer in the region of £30million which was actually less than the original offer made by the Hammers.
It reeked of Arsenal’s recent half-hearted attempts at signing big name players, having tracked the likes of Jan Vertonghen for months before losing out to Tottenham Hotspur, and also bidding only £1 more than Luis Suarez’s release clause whilst the forward was still at Liverpool. Arsenal’s interest in Lacazette is still apparent, and now the forward has given a further glimpse at what the Gunners are missing after hitting a hat-trick in Olympique Lyonnais’ 3-0 triumph over Nancy in their opening Ligue 1 match of the campaign.
Lacazette fits the bill of proven goalscorer that Arsenal are so desperately seeking. Since making his senior debut for the club in 2010 he has hit 75 goals in 174 Ligue 1 appearances, including a combined 48 goals over the last two Ligue 1 seasons. Having splashed out £30million on a mere one signing in Granit Xhaka this summer, Arsene Wenger is under increasing pressure to add to his squad further and with Lacazette prepared to listen to offers according to Sky Sports News, Arsenal are really missing out in their continued failure to make a serious offer for the forward. http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/10537389/arsenal-target-alexandre-lacazette-wont-refuse-offers
At 25, Lacazette has been prolific in Ligue 1 and with the service he would receive at Arsenal, he could be expected to thrive in the Premier League and may provide an effective alternative for the hot-and-cold Olivier Giroud, or perhaps even forge a forward partnership with his compatriot. Wheras Giroud fits the traditional target man role who can hold up the ball and find the net, Lacazette offers a completely fresh option. Pace, movement, flair, finishing and an ability to link play, providing for and feeding off team-mates. In other words a Plan A for Arsenal up front, but also a Plan B if Wenger wishes to use him in an impact role at times.
The lack of a potent forward has somewhat taken the sting out of the Arsenal front-line and diminished the traditional fear factor that the club once had when Henry and Van Persie graced the turf at Highbury and then the Emirates. The presence of Lacazette along with Giroud would suddenly render Arsenal’s attacking line a very formidable opponent to come up against.
It will be convincing Lyon to part with their prized asset that will be the most difficult issue for Arsenal, but with the player still to really edge into his prime as a striker yet scoring all kinds of goals in France, any investment would be a wise one for Arsenal to make, and rather than bid half-heartedly, if the club is truly desperate to land the player, Wenger and the board must recognise that nothing less than the right offer will be enough to convince Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas to sanction any departure for Lacazette. Of course the Gunners are not the only club interested in an acquisition, so it is a case of Arsenal making the right offer, or face losing out to another suitor.
Lacazette has all the ingredients to be a success at Arsenal and all the pedigree of a marquee signing to truly re-ignite the optimism and excitement amongst Arsenal supporters as they look to fight for the title again. If Arsenal really want the player, then it is high time for them to get serious, or once more we may be looking at another story of what might have been at the Emirates to add to the already growing list.
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