Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette must be the sign of a new wave

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Alexandre Lacazette. While the Lyon striker is an astute addition, he must only be the start of a new wave of incoming talent.

Entering the summer transfer window after disappointingly dropping out of the Champions League qualification places for the first time in over two decades and being dumped out of the title race by late February, it was clear that the Arsenal squad needed a significant and substantial spruce up if they were to ever challenge for trophies and titles, both on a domestic and European front.

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Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke defiantly reiterated their ambition; they were unwavering and scrupulous to the vociferous scrutiny and vilification of large sections of the fan base. However, this is a fan base that has heard it so many times before. The time has come for their actions to line up with their twisted, contorted, manufactured words.

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And the first and most telling action that they can do is invest in the squad. Thankfully, it seems as though they are willing to do so. After signing Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer to open the summer window, an astute addition, given the cheapness of the deal and the quality of the player, Arsenal are now, per the most recent reports, set to break their transfer record to bolster their attacking personnel and sign Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

That is an undoubtedly exciting addition. Lacazette is proven goalscorer in the French league, will bring a pace and dynamism that Wenger clearly wants in attacking areas, and offers a reputation and calibre that prove the club are willing to sign the established, accomplished stars that fans are baying for.

However, Arsenal’s summer business must not end there. Unfortunately, such are the many issues and shortcomings of the squad, there is far more spending that is required if they are to ever haul their way back into the top four and challenge for titles and trophies.

Those issues are only accentuated if Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and any other key contributor leave, as is quite likely. Arsenal are still lacking a vibrant, pacy, direct winger to commit defenders, create chances and score goals, a surging, controlling central midfielder is still needed, as is a right-back if Hector Bellerin makes the switch to Barcelona.

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This is a squad that has been rotting at its core for some time. Wenger’s loyalty and patience have seen him wait for too long on players who lack the ability to ever repay his investment. Lacazette is an excellent addition but he must just be the start of a new wave of players.