Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette’s movement does so much more

Alexandre Lacazette pulled Tottenham Hotspur’s defence all over the pitch in Arsenal’s 2-0 win on Saturday. His movement does so much more than Olivier Giroud’s stationery style. That is why Arsene Wenger signed him.

Arsenal dismantled Tottenham Hotspur. That is the best way to describe Saturday’s North London derby win. The 2-0 scoreline, frankly, was actually flattering to Spurs. They were tepid, limp, and dominated throughout.

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What was especially pleasing, though, with the performance was the way in which the Gunners were able to carve open one of the best defences in the Premier League. Spurs have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the country in each of the last two seasons. And this year, only the two Manchester clubs have conceded fewer goals.

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Even without Toby Alderweireld at the heart of the defence, this was still expected to be a stifling defensive unit. They weren’t. In large part, that was because of the pressure that Arsene Wenger’s side were able to exert on them. They were pummeled into submission. But there was a greater nuance to Arsenal’s play than sheer force of pressure. There was a finesse and an intelligence, especially in their collective movement off the ball.

Predominantly, that came from Alexandre Lacazette, who spearheaded the attack. The Frenchman came to North London renowned for his movement in and around the penalty area. On Saturday, he vindicated that reputation. It was not necessarily his pace. It was the intelligence and the vision of his movement. He anticipated where the space would be, before scampering into it. He did not delay. He did not hesitate. He was decisive and penetrative. And it helped all those around him.

Contrast the fluency, fluidity and potency of Arsenal’s attacking play on Saturday to the rigid, stationery style that took place with Olivier Giroud as the central striker. Now, this is not necessarily an indictment of Giroud. His lack of movement, while frustrating, is a feature of his style. It is up to Wenger to put the right players around him to suit what he does well.

But the players that Arsenal do have do not suit a back-to-goal centre-forward like Giroud. Aaron Ramsey, the two wing-backs, Mesut Ozil. They all benefit from a player who is willing to stretch the pitch by spinning into the channels. That is the type of player that Lacazette is, not Giroud.

It was clear that that is how Wenger wanted to play last season. His consistent starting of Alexis Sanchez over Giroud was proof of this. The Chilean, while perhaps lacking the subtlety and nuance of Lacazette, boasts the same sharpness-in-movement, explosive turning and accelerating, and overall athleticism.

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Lacazette’s movement does so much more than Giroud’s aerial threat. And not only does it create chances for himself, it engineers space and angles for others. It does so much more than many may realise, and it was on full show against Spurs.