Arsenal: Jose Mourinho has wrong end of Alexandre Lacazette stick

Jose Mourinho has reportedly criticised Alexandre Lacazette for lacking stamina and a physical presence. As is often the case, the Manchester United manager has got the wrong end of the stick when it comes to Arsenal’s record signing.

Arsenal have made their first major signing of the summer transfer window. After weeks and weeks of rumour and conjecture engulfing the club, with the fans waiting in eager anticipation and the baying media to pounce on any misstep, Alexandre Lacazette was officially announced for a club-record £46 million fee, potentially rising to £52 million with the satisfaction of certain incentives.

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It is undoubtedly a significant addition. Fans have been calling for Arsene Wenger to find a starring centre-forward, a player who can guarantee 20-plus goals a season. And he has. If there is anything that Lacazette can do, it is score goals, and at an alarmingly consistent rate.

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However, given that this is the modern world of football with every man and his dog entitled to their opinion, no matter how unfounded and unsupported the claims may be, it is natural to expect a little criticism of the addition. And that criticism, per a report in the Daily Express, is coming from Jose Mourinho and Manchester United. Per a source in the piece, Mourinho and his scouting department were unimpressed with Lacazette, stating:

"“Lacazette was followed because he was top scorer in French football – but a lot of his goals were penalties [10 of his 27 goals last season came from the spot]. In the end he wasn’t considered because he has no stamina, no physical impact and isn’t a big game player.”"

Mourinho, though, as ever, has got the wrong end of the stick. The key phrase is the statement that Lacazette brings ‘no physical impact’. That is a statement that is fairly accurate. He is not especially big and strong, he is not hugely powerful or explosive in the air, and he can be overmatched by dominating, towering centre-halves.

However, Wenger was not wanting a striker who boasted the frame to deal with those physical challenges. Wenger wanted pace, mobility and intelligent movement, as he saw that type of striker as the perfect player to lead the line, creating angles, confusion and space in the final third for the likes of Mesut Ozil to work their magic.

Mourinho, on the other hand, wants a Didier Drogba, Diego Costa, Romelu Lukaku type player; someone who can bully opposing defenders into submission, providing a focal point for his teams’ often blunt attacking play.

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This is not about Lacazette’s qualities or his shortcomings. Mourinho, per the Express report, has equated his dislike of his style with a dislike of his abilities. As always, he has got the complete wrong end of the stick.