Arsenal: N’Golo Kante’s Alexandre Lacazette warning should be heeded

Arsenal face Chelsea this weekend in a crucial Premier League tie. N’Golo Kante has warned his Chelsea teammates of Alexandre Lacazette. If they do not heed it, Lacazette will make them pay.

Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday low on confidence. After a four-goal thrashing from Liverpool was compounded by a deadline day debacle that only displayed the club in disarray, it’s fair to say that expectations are somewhat limited for the Gunners, even after a bright 3-0 victory over Bournemouth last weekend.

Related Story: Arsenal: Predicted FIFA 18 player ratings

Chelsea, meanwhile, have, quietly, been fairing quite nicely. Although they lost to Burnley on the opening day of the season and missed out on several transfer targets in the summer, which Antonio Conte justifiably bemoaned, they steadied the ship nicely with three wins from three, including beating Tottenham Hotspur, and are beginning to find their formidable, title-winning form of last season.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

The troubles at Arsenal and the growing confidence at Chelsea have led to many overlooking the North London outfit. I myself have written them off, only giving them a slim chance of coming away with the three points. However, that does not mean that Arsene Wenger’s team do not pose a threat. They have players of the calibre and quality that, if underestimated, will take advantage. And that is the warning of N’Golo Kante to his fellow Chelsea teammates regarding Alexandre Lacazette. Speaking ahead of the weekend’s tie, Kante stated that the Blues will need to be acutely aware of the danger that Lacazette causes:

"“I think maybe in England, you don’t know him very well but he has started to score. In France, he was a very good goalscorer who scored for many, many years and he will be a threat for Sunday’s game. We have to be ready to stop him but the most important thing is the team and we need to win.”"

It would be a little naïve to suggest that Arsenal should expect to beat Chelsea. They are the worse side with the worse players in the worse form. It would be illogical to hold such an expectation.

Nevertheless, a player of Lacazette’s goal scoring ability does require respect. He has already scored twice this season, the first being a glancing header to open the Premier League’s scoring, and the second, a curling, precise finish against Bournemouth, from only three shots on target. If offered the opportunity, he will not flinch in taking it.

That is what Chelsea must ward against. They cannot afford to be complacent. And Kante, as the experienced, two-time Premier League winner that he is, having seen first-hand Lacazette’s striking prowess, is careful to ensure that he does not see his teammates overlooking the Frenchman’s threat.

Next: Arsenal Vs FC Koln: 3 key Gunners to watch

If Arsenal do harbour hopes of a Premier League title, however thin they may be, then they cannot afford to lose against Chelsea on Sunday. For that to happen, it could well be down to Lacazette to prize open a stubborn Blues’ defence with a piece of magic. If he’s given the chance, be careful to doubt him.