Arsenal: Why can’t they all be like Alexandre Lacazette?
By Josh Sippie
Alexandre Lacazette should be, by all rights, a bit peeved at Arsenal, but it sounds as though he is anything but. Why can’t they all be as awesome as him?
Arsenal‘s attack has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years. Remember when it was Olivier Giroud or nothing? The entire attack was dependent on the Frenchman and there was no way around it. Now, we have two world class strikers and a wealth of creative talent in behind them to give them steady chances.
But it’s hard keeping everyone happy. And for awhile now, mainly at the start of the season, fans have been worried that Unai Emery‘s enigmatic treatment of Alexandre Lacazette would drive him away from the team.
The new manager seemed incapable of starting his two superstar strikers together and then the annoying rumors popped up that Lacazette might be leaving. I would like to believe no one actually bought those rumors, but they fit our fears, so I’m sure they stirred some negativity up.
Thankfully, Lacazette got the start against Cardiff City and he made the most of it, putting in a man of the match performance.
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After the match, Lacazette was outspoken about his situation at the Emirates, reassuring everyone that he had no intention of leaving and even got a bit up close and personal with his statements. Here’s what he had to say, as quoted by Sport360.
"“It’s always going to be hard to be in the first XI at a club like this, but I always keep fighting and working. I won’t play every week just because of one game. Every day I have to work and show the coach I work well and I deserve my place.”"
I never read too much into words. Nothing good ever came from talking about it. But when those words are piggybacked by a performance that reinforces what was said, then those words have solid footing after all. And that is what happened here. Lacazette said he had to work harder. It showed. He worked harder. He earned his place. Now he deserves his place.
This is how things are supposed to work, but it’s always nice to see them actually work. Lacazette understood his situation, he was okay with it, and he improved it and was rewarded for it.
Now if only everyone could be as sensible and self-assured as Lacazette. Everything would be easier.