David Moyes praises Arsenal player after West Ham loss

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David Moyes has praised Alexandre Lacazette for the way he is able to drop into space between the opposition defensive line and the midfield after Arsenal beat West Ham at the Emirates on Wednesday – in comments reported by Football London.

The Gunners knocked the Hammers out of the top four. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe at either end of the second-half ensured that Mikel Arteta’s men took the three points.

Lacazette squandered his golden chance to get on the scoresheet. He saw his penalty saved by Lukasz Fabianski. But the Frenchman still produced an outstanding display.

It was Lacazette who set up Martinelli for the opener. He came short to receive a pass from Gabriel. And that left him in loads of space to slide the ball through for the forward, who subsequently found the bottom corner.

It was a captain’s performance from the 30-year-old. And when it was put to Moyes that Lacazette was able to find space in those areas between the centre-backs and Rice, the West Ham boss praised the problems the striker caused.

“I think they are very good at it and Lacazette does it very well,” he said, as reported by Football London. “Several teams are playing a false nine or dropped in nines. But I think for their goal if our full back had narrowed and been in a proper full-back position we would have stopped the gaol but we allowed them through to get in that space.”

Lacazette needs to kick on after Moyes praises display in Arsenal win

Lacazette has shone in the last two games. He really appears to have thrived after taking the captain’s armband from the weekend.

It remains to be seen if he keeps the role permanently. But he is certainly staking a strong claim.

Lacazette now needs to sustain this form over a longer period.

Of course, the subplot in the background is Lacazette’s future. His contract expires at the end of the season. And Arteta has previously suggested that no talks are expected until the summer.

If Lacazette’s last two performances are a sign of what is to come while he is wearing the armband, Arsenal face a real dilemma over what to do with the striker.