Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette PSG admission only adds credence

Alexandre Lacazette has admitted that he met with Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, before choosing Arsenal. Such an admission only adds credence to the move for all parties involved.

The signing of Alexandre Lacazette is a significant one. First and foremost, he is the most expensive player in Arsenal history; that is not a fact to be baulked at or overlooked. But more than the mere price that was paid, the profile of the player, the position that he plays, and that the intention that was shown all challenge the narrative of the North London club.

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There was no hesitancy involved in this deal. There was little doubt, no dilly-dallying. Arsene Wenger knew who his man was, as soon as Kylian MBappe deemed unfeasible, and he went and got him.

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And since his promising start to his first season outside of Lyon, the club which he came through as a youngster, shaped him as a professional, and thrust him onto the European stage with the talent and the opportunity to thrive, Lacazette has admitted that he had discussions with other clubs during the summer window, namely, Paris Saint-Germain:

"“We talked with PSG but quickly I knew that it wasn’t where I wanted to go. In France, for me, it was only Lyon. PSG could have enabled me to make progress because they have great players but I wanted to experience another league.”"

Such an admission adds credence to every party involved in the deal. It adds credence to Arsenal because it shows an ability to convince a player who was wanted by others. It adds credence to Wenger who highlighted and named a player who was rated by other clubs around Europe that have recruited well in the past — PSG and Atletico Madrid. It adds credence to Lacazette himself, who plainly gives his reasons for making the decision that he did.

Lacazette has scored four goals so far this season, all of which have come at the Emirates, and has looked extremely sharp in and around the penalty area. His finish against Bournemouth was a curled and precise effort, while his two goals against Brighton showcased a poaching ability and confidence — the latter was a penalty — that all goalscorers must have.

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But while he has enjoyed early success in an Arsenal shirt, that does not mean that questions and doubts do not remain. They do. Lacazette must now perform consistently at a high level. Whether he can do that or not, only time will tell. But as his comments prove, Wenger is not the only one who thinks he can.