Arsenal Vs CSKA Moscow: Alexandre Lacazette can change the narrative

Alexandre Lacazette is set to return for Arsenal against CSKA Moscow on Thursday night. The striker has the chance to change the narrative of a downward-trending season prior to his two-month layoff.

When it was announced that Alexandre Lacazette would undergo knee surgery immediately after the North London derby, a loss for Arsenal that plainly outlined the disparity between them and local rivals Spurs, and that it would keep him on the sidelines for two months, my initial response was one of relief.

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The Arsenal striker had been suffering from a plight of decrepit confidence and disastrous form. An extended time away was precisely what he needed, even if it came at the expense of an injury and surgery. But now he has returned.

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Lacazette actually appeared in training over two weeks ago. He featured in the final session before the most recent international break. As he was not selected for the French squad during that break, he was afforded a two-week period in which his sole purpose was to regain his match sharpness ahead of Sunday’s game against Stoke City. Considering the look of him during that 30-minute spell in the second half, his time on the sidelines really did revitalise him.

And now, just four days later, Lacazette prepares to spearhead the attack in what is the most important competition of the season: The Europa League. CSKA Moscow arrive in North London to play the first leg of their quarter-final tie against the Gunners on Thursday night, and it will be Lacazette who they likely meet as the sharp-shooting striker that must try and stifle.

For Lacazette, this is the perfect opportunity to utterly revert the perception of his first season in England. Although he started off promisingly and has shown glimpses of his quality at various stages, a painful goal drought through December and January left him laid bare, his head drooping, shoulders slouching, confidence well and truly battered.

But on Sunday, he just looked different. His attitude was positive. His movement was razor sharp. His intentions were deliberate and attacking. He also scored his goal, thanks to the generosity of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who subsided his hat-trick wishes knowing that the confidence a goal can bring is invaluable for a fellow striker. And now he has the chance to mirror that performance in the most important game of the season.

These are the games that £47 million, club-record strikers earn their keep. They don’t just score vast amounts of goals, though they most certainly do do that. They score them in vital games at vital moments. For Lacazette and Arsenal, that game and that moment have arrived.

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This is the chance for the Frenchman to change the narrative of an underwhelming and frustrating first season. A performance, a goal and a victory are needed. The time is very much now to deliver.