Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette has risen to every challenge faced

Arsenal spent a lot of time nailing down the transfer for Alexandre Lacazette, but it’s clear enough why – there is nothing that can put him off.

Arsenal‘s striker situation had been a bit of a one-trick pony for years, with Olivier Giroud hand-cuffed to the role simply by necessity. No one else was ever given the chance to challenge him. Even when guys like Lukas Podolski came in, they were driven out for one reason or another.

Which is why it was so bizarre to see Arsene Wenger willingly sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a record deal after having just signed Alexandre Lacazette the previous summer. Not to mention the deal for Lacazette being about two years in the making.

It was probably even more shocking for Lacazette, who had only just arrived, and now here comes another player with a bigger resume and higher star quality than him, and he’s already on a goal drought. And injured, to boot.

None of that matters. Lacazette didn’t moan or complain, he didn’t stick to his guns and refuse to change, he grew, he improved, and he’s now our shoo-in for player of the season simply because he has done so much for this team, and will continue to for the final stretch of the season.

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It’s a true measure of a player when they keep having obstacles thrown in their path and each time, they emerge better off because of it. And that is the case with Lacazette, who may trip and fall, or sputter and struggle, but will always end up back on his feet, stronger than ever.

Lacazette came to the club being renowned for his finishing ability and his link-up play, but he’s so much more than that now. His movement off the ball has improved exponentially; his link-up play – already a strength of his – has driven him to a team lead in assists; he’s stronger, faster, and better in tight spaces; there just really isn’t anything he can’t do.

It takes a lot to stand above Aubameyang as the preferred striker, but I can’t help but feel that this is exactly where he is, even if Aubameyang has more goals than his counterpart.

Then again, no point in comparing them when they are both on the same team, right? All I know is, I’m so glad that Lacazette is embedded at this club for the long haul. We’re in good hands.