Arsenal: The perfect adjective for Alexandre Lacazette

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has delivered the perfect one-word summary of Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette, and it doubles as a dainty compliment.

Arsenal fans had been waiting for a big-time striker signing for about half a decade when Alexandre Lacazette was purchased from Lyon after three years of speculation that he would make the move.

Nowadays, it’s clear and obvious that the move was well worth it, but his first year at the club was certainly rough. Though I doubt many were doubting the long-term merits of the French striker, having seen him at his best. It’s just hard to keep the pace up when you score two minutes into your Premier League career.

With Leicester City next up on the docket, kind words are being tossed about and manager Claude Puel has handed Lacazette a perfect compliment that also summarizes the striker in one easy word – complete.

"“He is a complete player with good transition with the ball and without the ball. He is always available for the team. He works all the time and he has kept his clinical edge and I am not surprised about his quality and his good work with Arsenal.”More from Pain in the Arsenal3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victoryArsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison ParkMikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win"

Puel, who has managed Lacazette in the past, had plenty of more gushing things to say about the striker, but the summary was made in that one word – complete. And I don’t think you’ll find anyone who argues that this is the only word that can be used to encapsulate who Lacazette is.

Think of everything that is asked of a striker. He is asked to score goals, to control the ball, to have a soft first touch and a quick, potent shot. He is asked to be quick, not just physically, but with his decision making. Lacazette does all that.

He also links up play, passes remarkably well, tracks back on defense and can drop deep to receive the ball and still have relevance outside of the box.

These are tertiary asks of a striker, but Lacazette checks them all off as well. Even stuff like tracking back, which isn’t generally asked of a hitman, is in Lacazette’s resume. The man doesn’t leave anything to change, he does it all.

With Lacazette hitting his stride, it’s become even more obvious that there is a bright future ahead for this attack so long as he is maintained. Because, as unlikely as it might have seemed last year, he has become a centerpiece for this club.