Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette return a game-changer

Alexandre Lacazette’s Europa League suspension has been overturned. His return to the Arsenal squad is a game-changer for the second leg against Rennes on Thursday.

Alexandre Lacazette was petulant and frustrated. Arsenal had been lacking with the ball all game, unable to provide him with the service he required, and the Frenchman had grown angry with the lack of opportunities on goal.

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That frustration seeped into his last-gasp sending off. The Gunners initially appealed the decision, but it was held up. That is why he missed both the second leg of the BATE Borisov tie and the first leg against Rennes last Thursday.

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It was assumed that he would miss the third game of his three-match ban this Thursday in the crucial second leg of the Rennes tie, in which Arsenal will attempt to overturn a 3-1 deficit after the calamitous first leg. Lacazette’s absence in that first leg was noticeable. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggled to hold the ball up and there was no pressure-easing outlet that could be played to help the defence.

Lacazette excels at that type of play. With an excellent first touch and deceptive strength and low centre of gravity, his game revolves around receiving the ball with his back to goal and wriggling free of defenders, winning freekicks and helping to get his team up the pitch. Aubameyang was unable to have the same impact on the match as his strike partner.

But it has since been confirmed that Lacazette will actually be available for Unai Emery to select this week. The suspension has still be upheld by UEFA, but upon appeal, Arsenal have been able to shorten the duration to two matches, not three.

Lacazette’s return to the team is a game-changer. He has been the most prominent attacking player all year long, even if he trails Aubameyang in goals, and his presence as the spearhead of the attack will be absolutely invaluable, whether it be as a lone striker or as a part of a pair.

The north London outfit need goals, and potentially a lot of them. A 2-0 win is the absolute minimum to secure qualification into the quarter-finals. More realistically, given it is unlikely that Renns will fail to find the goal, they will need three if not four goals to nick a victory. What better player to have suddenly come available than a complete centre-forward who has notched 14 goals in all competitions this season.

Lacazette’s presence extends far beyond his ability to stick the ball in the back of the net. His greatest asset, as previously highlighted, his play with his back to the goal, when the ball is at his feet and defenders’ legs are nipping away at his ankles. Having him lead the line will unquestionably open up space and opportunities for the likes of Aubameyang and the plethora of supporting midfielders.

Arsenal will still need a mighty performance to overturn the 3-1 first-leg defeat. Rennes are still the favourites to qualify here, make no mistake about it. But Lacazette’s inclusion is massive. He will have an impact, that much is certain.