Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette not in control of his own success

Arsenal’s treatment of Alexandre Lacazette is under intense scrutiny, and for just cause. When you boil it down, it does not help anyone involved.

When Arsenal landed Alexandre Lacazette, he was immediately pitted against Gabriel Jesus, Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku. Everyone wanted to know who would score more goals. The golden boot race was supposed to be “lit” as the kids say these days. Of course, throw in the regulars like Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero too and everyone had a horse in the race worth betting on.

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Everyone is allowing their horse to run. Romelu Lukaku always plays 90 minutes. Alvaro Morata, when he’s firing, plays the full 90. If he’s off kilter, he’ll be subbed, but he’s in control of his own destiny.

The Manchester City duo is subject to the whims of Pep Guardiola, which is always up for debate, but as long as they are firing, they are playing.

Somehow, Alexandre Lacazette, who is subbed off around the same time every single match, is keeping pace with all of these guys, but you have to wonder what would be happening if he was in control of his own destiny, like Morata.

What if Lacazette would have been left on against Everton, or in the other matches in September that the Gunners were handily putting away? It’s impossible to say what might have happened, but chances are he would have had more chances and one thing we all rejoice about is that when Lacazette has chances, he puts them away.

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Those garbage time goals (that have built Lukaku…) could have Lacazette up even farther on the goal charters, boosting his confidence in this new foray and boosting the confidence that his team mates have in him.

Instead, he is subbed off like clockwork every single match around the exact same time. No matter the situation. When he had a brace against West Brom he was given an extra ten minutes but still inevitably subbed off.

It’s all a bit cock-eyed. The only reason why I (and many others) weren’t up in arms about his dismissal against Everton is because Jack Wilshere was coming on. But this was a club bent on scoring more goals, why does the loyalty fall to the players that want to get away rather than the players that want to prove themselves here?

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Sometimes it feels like Wenger is just leaving Lacazette on until he can get his goal, then he gets removed. And all for what? I can’t wait for Lacazette’s first full 90. He’ll probably score six that day.