Arsenal Vs Stoke City: Alexandre Lacazette sharpness delightful

Alexandre Lacazette was introduced for the final half-an-hour in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Stoke City on Sunday afternoon. The sharpness he showed was delightful to watch and lends well to his return from injury.

Gosh, the first half was boring. Usually, when writing the match reports that we publish on the site, I aim for roughly 400-500 words on each half with another 100-200 words on analysis to introduce and conclude the piece. On this occasion, I hit about 250 words during half-time and couldn’t bring myself to embellish the nothingness of the first 45 minutes any further. Yes, Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Stoke City ended well, but it started off in a painfully subdued manner.

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The turning point came in the 61st minute. Danny Welbeck was withdrawn; Alexandre Lacazette was introduced. The Frenchman was placed as the spearhead of the attack, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shifting to the left flank, and immediately provided an impetus, directness and energy to the attack.

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In fact, in his interview after the game, Jack Wilshere perhaps said it best in regards to the excitement that everyone is feeling for Lacazette on his return from knee surgery:

"“I’m buzzing for Laca. I know how hard he’s worked. He didn’t take his injury well, but nobody does. He was down but he knew what it takes to come back. He’s worked hard and only trained a couple of days, but he was out there and looked like he’s not been away. It’s good for the team, good for him and I’m happy for him.”"

Certainly, considering the extent of his injury — he has not featured since the North London derby on 10th February, nearly two months ago — and the crisis of form of confidence that was infecting his performances and his mental state prior to the injury, it was wonderful to not only see him back on the pitch but also to look so sharp.

Lacazette did get his goal, planting a penalty past Jack Butland in the dying minutes, a penalty that Aubameyang gracefully allowed him to take even though he was on a hat-trick, but it was his overall play, his combination play when he dropped deep, little touches, his deceptive strength when holding off defenders, his hold-up of the ball, the pace and directness of his dribbling, that was so encouraging to see.

While the confidence that the goal will bring is important, for Arsenal’s sake, especially considering that Aubameyang is cup-tied for the Europa League, a competition that is now the priority for the remainder of the season, having Lacazette return in good spirits and good form is even more important. He will be relied upon greatly between now and the end of the year. His playing well serves the Gunners wonderfully.

Next: Arsenal Vs Stoke City: Player ratings

The only questions remaining, then, pertain to replicability and complementation: Can Lacazette consistently replicate what he showed in 30 minutes? Can Arsene Wenger find a way for him and Aubameyang to complement one another? Certainly, Sunday’s signs are good, but there is a long way to go before affirmatively answering either query.