Arsenal: Beware the Romelu Lukaku, Alexandre Lacazette battle

Naturally, Arsenal and Manchester United fans are already bickering away about who got the better striker, but this is a dangerous game to play. For now.

Before either of the new strikers could even take the pitch, Arsenal fans had all rallied behind Alexandre Lacazette and Manchester United fans had all rallied behind Romelu Lukaku. Each side knew for a fact that their signing would be better than the other and there was no convincing either one to give way.

But this is a dangerous battle for Gooners to get engaged in right off the bat, especially from a tit-for-tat debate of pulling straight results. As my co-expert Andy wrote earlier, Lacazette is a better fit for what Arsenal needed and Lukaku is a better fit for what United needed.

It goes farther than that though, and the first stop on going farther is to point out the obvious. Lukaku has been here before. He has had tremendous individual success in the Premier League and Lacazette has not. It’s clear he is a bit disjointed in the attack whereas Lukaku… well, he pretty much just waits for an opportunity to strike. As always.

Like Diego Costa. There isn’t much creation going on there (as in not at all) he’s just there for when his team mates need to find someone.

In terms of traceable stats, as much as I hate to admit it (and barring any injuries) Lukaku will probably outscore Lacazette in their first season’s with new clubs. I say this simply because you have to assume a grace period for Lacazette (Robert Pires agrees) where he may sneak a few goals, but Lukaku has proven that, even at Everton, he can score pretty consistently.

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As much as I detest United, they have more than Everton.

But in terms of impact, which is not exactly a traceable stat, I still hold by my (unbiased) belief that Lacazette will have more overall. He is here to do so much more than score. He is here to contribute to the beautiful game that the Gunners play. To help build these Wengerball goals that make the world drool.

Mourinho has never played that way and neither has Lukaku. There’s will be ugly goals. Nasty goals. Costa goals. Which are still goals, but not the kind that Arsene Wenger is building his team to score.

In the long run, Lacazette will go toe to toe with Lukaku for goals, as he will grow into being the spear tip of the Gunners attack. But in this first season, stay guarded. These annoying United fans will be harping away at the numbers and seeing as how they don’t actually appreciate a beautiful goal, they won’t give a hoot if Lacazette helps create one.

Next: 5 Reasons Lemar Takes Back Seat To Rabiot

All that said, I will be over the moon if Lacazette can outdo the Belgian in his first ever year in England. Obviously.

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