Arsenal Can’t Pass Up On Alexandre Lacazette Again

OL striker Alexandre Lacazette has been linked with Arsenal once again. Arsene Wenger cannot rely on Olivier Giroud as his only forward for another season.

The transfer window hasn’t even opened yet, and Arsenal have already been snubbed by their top transfer target, Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy.

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The Gunners are also reportedly interested in Everton talisman Romelu Lukaku, but the Belgian has not gone out of his way to affirm any of the rumors surrounding his future. Especially considering the fact that Lukaku has yet to link up with his new manager Ronald Koeman, it seems like a move would have to be sorted out before the end of EURO 2016 – and that seems quite unlikely.

Lukaku and Vardy are two star Premier League strikers that have never been linked with Arsenal before. But another player that is reportedly once again on Arsene Wenger’s radar is Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Lacazette has had another impressive campaign for L’OL, scoring 21 goals and assisting three more in 33 appearances for the French club in Ligue 1. The White-and-Blues finished 2nd in the league thanks to the Frenchman’s contributions, a whole thirty points behind European giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Lacazette’s breakout season was in 2014/15, where he combined with promising attacker Nabil Fekir for 27 goals and six assists in Ligue 1. At the beginning of 2015/16 Fekir suffered a season-ending knee injury, and it was left to Lacazette to provide the attacking threat for his side.

The first half of the season wasn’t great for the Frenchman, but he caught fire in 2016 and scored 15 goals in his final 19 appearances. That hot form surprisingly failed to earn him a spot in Didier Deschamps’ French squad for EURO 2016, with Deschamps favoring Atlético forward Antoine Griezmann, Andre-Pierre Gignac and out-of-favor Olivier Giroud as the men up top for Les Bleus.

It’s important to recognize how instrumental Lacazette was in 2015/16 even though his numbers were down. He was the only player in double-figure goals for L’OL, and it was clear he missed Nabil Fekir’s 13 goals and creative flair during the first half of the season when Lyon were struggling (they only managed five wins in the 2015 half of the season).

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West Ham have been in for Lacazette multiple times already, with bids for the striker – which were all rejected – reportedly going as high as £31m. Should the amount offered increase to £40m, Lyon manager Bruno Genesio is reportedly willing to accept. However, £40m seems like a giant price tag that might not be matched by shrewd Arsene Wenger.

Atletico Madrid are the third club in for Lacazette alongside the Gunners and the Hammers. They may lure the Frenchman more considering their competitiveness in European competition. Lacazette has stated that he wants to play at a high level in the Champions League. He certainly won’t get that at Lyon.

If he joins Arsenal, the revamped Arsenal team could be more competitive in European competition than they have been in recent years. Arsenal’s strike force needs an upgrade and the Frenchman seems like a great option.

His ability to combine with compatriot Olivier Giroud could prove extremely helpful. Providing that Arsene Wenger employ a tactic that uses two strikers.

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The Gunners may have to shell out quite a bit to land Lacazette, especially after over a year of reported interest. But Lacazette is undoubtedly a top striker and he is the final attacking piece the Gunners need if they want to challenge for a title.