Arsenal Vs Bournemouth: 5 key players to watch — Confidence seeps away

1. Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette has now failed to score in eight games — seven Premier League fixtures and Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final 0-0 draw against Chelsea. For any attacker, that is not good; for a player whose game revolves around his ability to ripple the net, that is extremely concerning.

In more detail, Lacazette has actually played 595 minutes of football without scoring a goal, which is the equivalent to six-and-a-half straight 90 minute games. In terms of the raw numbers, I would not be that concerned if Lacazette were playing well. Performance is always more important than stats. The two will almost always coincide with a large enough sample size. And, initially, that was most certainly the case. But, more recently, his level has also tailed off, as well as his confidence.

In his latest outing against Chelsea, Lacazette skied an ugly half-volley after being released by a Jack Wilshere through-pass. He chose, simply, to strike the ball as hard as possible. It looked like a desperate attempt; it looked like an effort by a player devoid of self-belief; it looked like a shot from a player who hadn’t scored in 595 minutes.

Next: Arsenal Vs Bournemouth: Predicted starting XI

Lacazette, for his health of mind more than anything else, needs a goal. And quickly. Bournemouth are not the stoutest of defences, and although goals have not exactly been flowing on his travels –Lacazette has scored just two goals away from home all year –, Sunday offers Lacazette with a good opportunity to notch his first core of the year. Not only do Arsenal need it, but so does Lacazette.