Arsenal Transfer Target Alexandre Lacazette Sees Himself In North London

Arsenal have been tied to Alexandre Lacazette before, but it may finally be getting real. The French striker sees himself at Arsenal in the future, perhaps even this summer.

Arsenal was heavily linked to Alexandre Lacazette over the summer, but no move came to pass. The French striker had a bit of a falling out with Lyon boss Jean-Michel Aulas over his contract negotiations and ever since, a move has appeared inevitable. Such happenings are always nearly impossibly to overcome and it appears that Lacazette is willing to write off his futures in France for a move to England, particularly Arsenal.

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Lacazette spoke at length to the Telegraph and a few quotes stand out as tell-tale signs that it is only a matter of time. When asked what type of team he would be looking for, Lacazette said the following: “They should play Champions League and play good football, passing the ball and not just hitting it from box to box. Not kick and rush. It would not work for me.” Sounds like Arsenal.

He went on to talk about which international team mates he has been speaking to about the Premier League. The first name he mentioned? Francis Coquelin.

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So aside from having someone in his ear about coming to the Premier League and embodying the type of play that Lacazette is looking for, what else do Arsenal have that fits the billing perfectly?

They have a need.

Olivier Giroud, also an international team mate of Lacazette, will be turning 30 next year and he is still Arsenal’s only striker. Walcott and Welbeck are not proven and they very well may never be. We don’t even know if Welbeck will return this year. Arsenal still need a striker that can keep the pressure on Giroud as well as give him a breather without a lapse in the team.

While Lacazette only has experience in Ligue 1, he is currently the French footballer of the year from his exploits last campaign, where he beat out Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the whole lot to be the top goal scorer in the country. That is what prompted his price tag to get up into the £30m range.

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However, this season has been a feeble encore. He has managed just nine goals in 22 appearances across all competitions (via WhoScored.com). A lot of that may come down to his unsettled feelings at Lyon. It was just a few months ago that he was in a war of words with the higher-ups at the club. It is no mere coincidence that he is suddenly slacking.

That does not mean that last year was a one-off. He scored 15 goals the year before, which is still an impressive number. He will be 25 come next season, so he will be hitting his prime. It would not be good juju to hit that prime at a club you are unsettled with.

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Arsenal can give Lacazette a fresh start, a manager that takes a specific interest in each and every player, as well as international support and healthy internal competition. They play the style he wants, they are in the Champions League and, all things considered, they should very well have a brand new trophy at the Emirates when he were to arrive as well.