Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette’s ‘new world’ built specifically for him

Arsenal certainly heaped a lot of inevitable pressure on Alexandre Lacazette, but this ‘new world’ that he has come to is all his for the taking.

Arsenal’s long and historic tenure staying in the top four of the Premier League ended at a time when we thought they were getting better. This funk they fell into went completely against expectations, especially following up on a season where we showed such tremendous fight and determination.

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It was at the bottom of this funk (bottom as in 5th place…) that we really needed someone to step in and change the narrative.

Alexandre Lacazette made it perfectly clear that he wanted Champions League play. He felt he was at that level where anything less just wouldn’t do. And that makes sense, players obviously want the best for themselves.

But it’s also pretty obvious why he chose to come to Arsenal. He has an opportunity unlike any other to make an impact on an international favorite of a team and solidify himself among some of the world’s best.

In the process, he can lift that team up to heights they haven’t attained in over a decade and when this era is remembered, it will chiefly be him, Lacazette, that is remembered as being the difference maker. So long as everything goes according to plan.

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This allure of being the hero tops missing out on one year of Champions League football. By a long shot. And Lacazette has acknowledged this himself in his recent statements with Le Figaro:

"It’s very different to Lyon, so it’s up to me to adapt as quickly as possible and repay the faith shown in me. I really have the impression I have moved into another world, be it in terms of the players, the technical staff, the football, everything is different. That’s what I came here for. I have to adapt and do that as quickly as possible. It’s a great league, lots of teams. I don’t think there are any small teams because even against the smallest clubs it’s difficult. I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes this season. I think I had done everything [in France]. I was happy to finish on a high at Lyon. Now, it’s up to me to write my story here."

This is the perfect mentality for us to see. This mentality of having done everything at the previous step and now wants to be something more. Because while he certainly gathered attention at Lyon, he could never have become what he is capable of becoming at Arsenal.

And that is what we have to look forward to. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have had their shots at being the heroes and they will certainly play a contributing role should Lacazette be the final push, but it will be the Frenchman who wears the cape if his arrival subsequently leads to more glory.

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But first, he has to settle. And it’s great that he wants to do it as quickly as possible, but let’s hope it doesn’t get too discouraging for him – and supporters – if it doesn’t happen right away.