Arsenal: Why Alexandre Lacazette is so crucial

Alexandre Lacazette is struggling to find the back of the net, but as his head coach explained this week, he is still critical to Arsenal’s overall approach.

After being named the Player of the Season for his rounded performances and excellent goal and assist totals, the 2019/20 campaign has not quite been so prolific for Arsenal centre-forward, Alexandre Lacazette.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — After Everton, good luck Mikel Arteta

He missed over a month with an ankle problem, has rarely looked razor-sharp like last term, and has just five league goals all year, only one since the start of December. His perceived poor form has seen many fans to call for him to be dropped, preferring the more prolific Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to be used through the middle rather than out wide. However, ever since Mikel Arteta took over two weeks and three matches ago, Lacazette has been central to the team.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

After being dropped by Freddie Ljungberg for a centralised Aubameyang, Arteta immediately reinstated Lacazette to lead the line and moved Aubameyang into an inside-left forward role, still with the freedom to dart in behind the opposing defence but also shackled by greater defensive responsibility.

Lacazette is still yet to score under Arteta, having missed a host of chances in the draw to Bournemouth and squandering a couple of half-opportunities in the victory over Manchester United, but his overall impact on the team has been noticeable, in and out of possession. As Arteta himself says, Lacazette’s effect goes far beyond the goals that he scores:

"“He has been really helpful in giving us a lot of options. He makes his team-mates better, that’s one of the biggest qualities.”"

The Man. Utd win was the best example of Lacazette’s influence. Dropping ever so slightly deeper to connect the midfield with the frontline, Lacazette was integral to Arsenal’s possession play. In fact, per Between the Posts, he was the most progressive receptor of passes in the team, meaning his reception of passes progressed the attacking play more than any other.

His touch was controlled and consistent, he was strong with his back to goal, especially with defenders pressuring his first touch, and he won several freekicks, positioning his body superbly between the defender and the ball to ensure that he was fouled, relieving pressure from his defence.

He was also excellent in pressing the United defenders. Not only did he work relentlessly hard when out of possession; he worked intelligently. The angle of approach when closing down specific players limited passing options. He waited for specific triggers and traps before intensely pressuring the opponent. This was Lacazette undertaking the dirty work that so often goes unseen, and Arsenal were all the better for it.

His lack of goals is concerning. He is a striker, after all. But Lacazette provides so much more to the team that he is utterly integral to the Arsenal set-up, just as Arteta understands.