Arsenal: A confident Alexandre Lacazette inspires hope

Arsenal need to score when they face Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday night. That is an almighty task, but a confident Alexandre Lacazette inspires hope that that is possible.

In European ties, game management is perhaps the most important skill for any team to possess. It is one that Arsenal desperately lack, and have done so for many years, and it cost them again in the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final last week.

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It was a game that they dominated. Thanks to an early red card for Sime Vrsaljko, although they were certainly in the ascendancy prior to the 9th-minute red card, the Gunners were able to dictate the play through their high-tempo, pacy and precise passing in midfield, working their way through the pitch, shifting the Madrid defenders in and out of their disciplined positions as best as possible.

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And the stats bear out Arsenal’s dominance. 76% possession, 28 shots to six. Eight shots on target to five. 11 corners to zero. This was a game that if played another ten times, would have resulted in a victory for the north London outfit. And yet it didn’t. It ended 1-1 because Diego Simeone and his wily old Spaniards know how to manage games, score crucial goals at crucial times, and squeeze out the result that puts them in the driving seat ahead of the second leg.

The equation is now rather simple. Arsenal will not qualify if they do not score. Because of the away-goals rule, Atletico will progress to the final if the game ends in a 0-0 draw. And so the onus is on the away side to score. Given the opposition, that is not an easy task, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, Madrid might just have the best defence in Europe.

The last time that Madrid conceded a goal at home in all competitions was January 20th in a 1-1 draw with Girona. They were missing their best defender, Diego Godin. In fact, they have only conceded four goals at home in La Liga this season. Only twice have they conceded more than once at home — to Chelsea in the group stages of the Champions League; to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey in January. Scoring away from home and scoring at Wanda Metropolitano, then, are two very different prospects. And yet, that is precisely what Arsenal must do.

So is there any hope? Well, yes. The 28 shots that they generated in the first leg prove that this team has the capabilities to create chances. The midfield of Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil is one of the most ingenious in the competition and will cause problems. And then there is the little-added benefit of a confident Alexandre Lacazette.

Lacazette looked destitute prior to his two-month layoff with knee surgery. His form was poor, he had been replaced by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the goals had dried up, his mental state was not healthy. But since his return, Lacazette has looked a different, enthused player, one who Arsenal can rely on to successfully lead their line.

He has started five games in all competitions since his return. In those five games, he has scored six goals, including a towering header against Atletico in the first leg. Added to that, he notched a goal against Stoke City from off the bench upon his initial return, thanks to the generosity of Aubameyang, and he has played with a greater assurance and surety throughout.

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This, for Arsenal, is their hope. Lacazette has proven that he can score goals. He has proven that he can score goals against high-level opposition. He has proven that he can score against Atletico. That is where the hope comes from. Is it enough for me to believe that this team can work their way into the Europa League final? Perhaps not. But it is enough for me to say that this tie isn’t quite over just yet.

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