Arsenal: Wenger Simply Not Keen On Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal are still without a proven striker and the season is nearly upon us. That being said, did Wenger just say that he isn’t in on Lacazette?

Arsene Wenger took to the mic not long ago to disclose some information that could be taken rather negatively. After a comprehensive 8-0 win over Norwegian side FK Viking, Arsenal’s fearless leader was naturally asked about transfers and the possibility of bringing in a new striker this summer.

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His response?

“The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested. The price of a player is down to four ingredients. One is the talent, two his age, three is how much you expect him to improve your team, and four his resale value. If he ticks all four boxes then the price is not that important. You have to find the player.”

This is a very telling statement because it essentially says one big thing: Wenger is not in on Alexandre Lacazette.

My reasoning for that claim is pretty simple. Wenger has been in on Lacazette for over a year now and, by Wenger’s own admission, price does not interfere with the perfect player. I actually believe him on this one because when it came to guys like Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, he paid a huge amount and called it a day. No questions asked. I think we can all agree that those signings were as close to ‘perfect’ as a signing can be.

But Lacazette is clearly not the striker Wenger wants for Arsenal or he would have spent the £40m or so that was required. All in all, that is not that much money when compared to the three examples I just used.

While I do respect this part of Wenger, it relies completely on one thing – Wenger’s ability to judge what is right for Arsenal. Better yet, what is perfect for Arsenal. Now, granted, no one is more up for that job than Wenger, he is still human and prone to mistakes. Everyone is. 

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So now Arsenal are in a bit of a situation. If Lacazette really isn’t the player that Wenger wants, which it sure sounds like he isn’t, then if Wenger signs him late on and ends up paying what Lyon want, isn’t he just capitulating to their demands and securing a player that he doesn’t think would be a good fit for the club?

Follow up question, and this is the one I want you to really think about – do we want that for Arsenal?

Wenger has made his valuation of Lacazette clear. He sees him as a £30m man and anything more is just unsatisfactory. Meaning, quite simply, that to go above that original bid would make Wenger look like a hypocrite or a settler, neither of which are titles that Le Prof wants to bear.

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Lacazette is not “the player” that Wenger wants to sign for Arsenal. I believe Griezmann is, but that is neither here nor there. Settling for the ‘next best thing’ is not Wenger’s cup of tea, so as unfortunate as it seems, we may be left waiting for something to hit Wenger in the face on or near deadline day if we want answers up front.