Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette goal drought no concern… yet

Alexandre Lacazette has not scored since December 5th and has only five league goals on the season. And yet, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta should not be concerned… yet.

Alexandre Lacazette was fabulous last season. He may not have been the top goalscorer in the squad, which is a curious juxtaposition for a centre-forward who enjoyed a bright campaign, but his overall impact on games was phenomenal, and he was subsequently named Arsenal’s Player of the Season as a result.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Mikel Guardiola or Pep Arteta?

But this year, he has not quite replicated the same sparkling form. Injuries — and Unai Emery — certainly played their part. Lacazette played on a bum ankle for several weeks before having a month on the sidelines and has not looked sharp following his return until Mikel Arteta took over as the head coach.

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

Through all of this, Lacazette has endured a rather troublesome goal drought. He has only scored five Premier League goals all season and has not scored since December 5th. For a Player of the Season calibre centre-forward, it is not particularly good form.

But Arteta believes that the goals will come for Lacazette:

"“As well, every time he is in front of goal normally he is so clinical. I am disappointed that he hasn’t been rewarded with all the work he has done in the last three games because he could have scored three or four goals easily. But the goal will come for him naturally because he is a natural finisher. Does he just need one to go in anyhow? Exactly.”"

As the old adage goes, ‘it is better to get chances and miss them than to never get them in the first place’, and Lacazette is certainly getting into dangerous positions, both through the overall play of his teammates and his own excellent work. His spin past Harry Maguire and then horrifically sliced finish against Manchester United was emblematic of his recent displays: brilliant in the build-up; a mess in front of goal.

But Lacazette offers so much more to the team than just goals than longer periods without one are not as concerning as they would be for his strike mate, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, for instance. Where Aubameyang is more prolific than Lacazette, Lacazette is far more complete in overall play, his close control and play with his back to goal critical to Arsenal’s overall play.

Nevertheless, while all this may be true, ultimately, Lacazette is a centre-forward and a centre-forward should score goals. They are asked to provide other elements, yes, but they are in the team to put the ball in the back of the net. It is the hardest thing to do in football and it is why they are paid the big bucks.

So, for now, Lacazette is a massive plus for Arsenal. His goal drought is nothing more than something to be ended. There is no reason for concern. But that is for now. Eventually, he will have to provide goals. Because if he doesn’t, someone else will.