Arsenal: The Unfortunate Truth About Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal are yet again looking like heavy favorites to land Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, but there is an unfortunate tag-a-long with this rumor.

At no point in Alexandre Lacazette‘s excessive time being linked to Arsenal has it been a bad idea. He is a no-lose transfer who has proven to be too good for Ligue 1 as well as hungry enough to make it at the next level and beyond.

That’s why the Gunners have tried to sign him, albeit unsuccessfully.

Given the heavy amount of activity we are expecting this summer, the likelihood of Lacazette coming to Arsenal has never been higher. But along with that increasing likelihood is a bit of an unfortunate fact about the whole situation. And no, I don’t mean that he is currently the property of Jean-Michel Aulas, who doubles as a used car salesman.

The problem is that, barring any moves out of Arsenal, Lacazette will not make the move. It’s a simple matter of numbers. Arsenal currently have four strikers, by Arsene Wenger‘s estimations. Danny Welbeck, Lucas Perez, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud have all been used in that facet this year and, if I’m being honest, that is a healthy array of options.

But it isn’t without the need for an upgrade.

Still, the accompanying exit, should Lacazette come, isn’t a pleasant one, no matter who it is. Alexis Sanchez would obviously be the least desirable to leave, as he is the beating heart of this club.

Likewise, Olivier Giroud is a passionate Gunner who has stuck with the club through thick and thin and deserves to be here more than anyone.

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Danny Welbeck isn’t going anywhere. Wenger has so much faith invested in him and the return we would get for him wouldn’t be that great.

The most likely exit is Lucas Perez. But even that is rather unfortunate to talk about, seeing as how he has done his job in every possible sense imaginable. He just hasn’t been allowed a bigger job. So this would-be one-year voyage to England has been equal parts astonishing success and frustrating failure.

One of these four has to leave. Arguably two, but that’s a point for another day. Lacazette is going to command playing time. He is going to require plenty of first team action and he is going to deserve it too.

Meaning that Giroud, Alexis and Welbeck, the usual first choices for the spot, will be welcoming a fourth into their mix.

Even that is a pretty hefty amount of players for just one position. That is, unless Wenger wants to commit Alexis and Welbeck to the flanks and let Giroud and Lacazette be through the middle.

Next: Arsenal's Potential Starting XI Under Max Allegri

Whatever the case, something has to give if Lacazette is coming.

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