Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette Europa League ambition falls short

Alexandre Lacazette has stated that he wants to win the Europa League. The latest Arsenal striker’s ambition falls short, though. He should be aiming much higher.

Arsenal have a new striker. Ever since the controversial departure of Robin van Persie, they have lacked a clinical, ruthless centre-forward. But now they have one. His name is Alexandre Lacazette and he has made a bright start to his time in North London.

However, during van Persie’s exit, there were several comments from the Dutchman that questioned the trajectory of his former club, scrutinising Arsene Wenger’s management, though never perhaps referring to him directly, criticising the board and proclaiming his desire to challenge for trophies was the driving force behind imposing a transfer – he was signed by Manchester United and won a Premier League title in his first season there.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

And now Lacazette is the main man, with fans hoping that he can fire Arsenal to titles and trophies. But the ambition that van Persie showed in a brutally ruthless streak perhaps does not run through Lacazette in the same driving way. When speaking about the Europa League campaign this season, discussing whether the club should take the competition seriously or play a weakened side to prioritise the league, Lacazette not only stated that he wants to win the competition, but also claimed that it would be good for this season if that were achieved:

"“This year I want to go further and reach the final, which is in Lyon. I’m the player who is the hungriest to win it, because playing in the final in front of my friends and family would be great. Having said that, we can’t think too far ahead. We should think about our match this week and take it game by game It’s what we have to do this season. We have to win it. That’s our target and it would be another trophy for the club. That would be good for this season.”"

Now, I do not disagree with Lacazette’s assertion. In fact, I wholeheartedly agree. Although I would like to see Wenger rotate heavily early during the group stages, if Arsenal begin to make their way through the tournament, reaching the latter knockout rounds with a realistic chance of winning, then it should become more of a genuine goal for this year.

But that should not be the end of his ambition. Lacazette needs to be a driving force for the club, striving for titles and Champions Leagues, not just happy to settle for European and domestic mediocrity.

He does admit that he hopes to play in the Champions League next year and I assume that he holds such ambitions privately, as every one of his teammates and manager should. But there is an element of confidence and authority that comes from proclaiming it publicly. Hector Bellerin was criticised for revealing that he believed the title was not out of reach this season. But such confidence, almost arrogance, should be praised. It is what winners are made of.

Next: Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Predicted starting XI

Lacazette stated in the summer that he would not join a club without Champions League football. He did. Now he’s lowering his goals again, happy to settle for a Europa League trophy. I want to see him confidently and assertively claim that he can see this side challenging for the title and succeeding in the Champions League in the future. He must match the merciless ambition of van Persie; he must not settle for the niceness that currently pervades the corridors of the Emirates.

Home/Arsenal News