Arsenal Need To Rescue Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal was hot on the trail of Alexandre Lacazette as his drama at Lyon ensued over the summer. They are in an even better situation now.

Over the summer, Arsenal was said to be incredibly close to landing the signature of Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon striker was not on the same page (at least in front of the media) with club president Jean Michel Aulas. However, Lacazette signed an extension anyway, despite the tensions that were brewing.

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As reports have indicated, Lacazette has not been enjoying his time at Lyon, as Aulas’ methods during the contract negotiations left Lacazette feeling hurt. “His behaviour hurt me and disappointed me,” he said, as quoted by the Express. Coach Hubert Fournier did not support Lacazette either. “It affects you. You want to think about something else but you just can’t.”

All of this in spite of Lacazette scoring a massive 27 goals to lead Ligue 1 in the 2014/15 season. His price was said to be rising up into the £30m range. Naturally, that warded off some interested suitors.

Now, however, with Lacazette only managing six goals in 15 appearances, the price has fallen nearly £10m as it is pretty clear that Lacazette might be better off elsewhere. Suddenly, the clubs are swarming. It is Newcastle that are said to have launched the first bid of £19m. Arsenal would be foolish to let him fall to the Magpies that easily.

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2014/15 may be seen as a flash in the pan year for the 24-year old forward. However, he did scored 15 goals the year before. He has shown the talent to be a class striker, he may just need a bit of a scenery change. It is tough to shake ill-feelings towards one’s club and now that Lacazette is not exactly following up on his breakout year, you can bet that tensions are not exactly improving.

That is where Arsenal comes into it. So much of what Arsenal get out of their players comes from the faith that Arsene Wenger has in his men. Many players have cited this faith as a primary driving force behind their form. As it looks right now, Lacazette is either confined to Ligue 1 mid-table side Lyon, where president and coach have left him hurt, or relegation contending Newcastle United. Those are two rather dim prospects for someone that could have had his choice of a new home after his breakout year. The suitors have fallen off this year but Arsenal can reinvigorate Lacazette with a new home where he would have every opportunity in the world.

The Frenchman would be linking up with his countryman and national team mate Olivier Giroud. A connection like that is always beneficial to the two parties involved. That would leave Giroud competing in club and internationals with his team mate.

Plus, we still have the question of who exactly Arsenal plans to use to back up Olivier Giroud while Theo Walcott returns to the wings and Danny Welbeck remains injured and unable to score. Lacazette scores. He is also adept at holding onto the ball and picking out key passes, just like Giroud.

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If the reports from the Express are to be believed, Lacazette could hold out for a summer move so as not to hurt his inclusion in the Euros. However, this is prime time for Arsenal to snag him.