Arsenal: In defence of Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette is struggling. And the criticism is beginning to come. But the striker still has a future at Arsenal, one that should be invested in.

The tide had turned for Alexandre Lacazette. The Frenchman has struggled for form in his third season at Arsenal. An ankle injury scuppered his match-sharpness to open the year, but after a month on the sidelines to regain his fitness, his performances have not improved. He has now scored just twice since the start of December.

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After the Gunners disastrously fell to Olympiakos on Thursday night, crashing out of the Europa League in the process, Lacazette was a prime figure for criticism. With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang again scoring and again played off the left flank, there is a growing belief that Lacazette and his underwhelming performances should be dropped from the team with Aubameyang moved centrally.

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If you were to take Lacazette’s recent form as gospel, such an argument is not unfounded. While the Frenchman offers much more to the Arsenal attack than just sticking the ball in the back of net, Arsenal’s two best offensive displays under new head coach Mikel Arteta have come with Eddie Nketiah, not Lacazette, leading the line.

Lacazette is also now 28 years of age. This summer, he will enter the final two years of his contract. With Aubameyang’s future also up in the air as he enters his last year, the club faces a major decision regarding the pair of centre-forwards that has largely rescued them.

The large portion of fans wants Aubameyang. He is the club captain, the more superior goalscorer, and does not suffer the same lacklustre periods of form and fitness that Lacazette has been known for. But while the form table supports such a viewpoint, Lacazette should not be merely disregarded.

The former Lyon centre-forward was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season in 2018/19. Aubameyang might have been the top goalscorer, but Lacazette had the better campaign. His hold-up play was invaluable, his dribbling and technical skill inspirational, and his propensity to turn in his best performances in crucial matches vital for the team.

Lacazette has not reached those same heights this season, admittedly, but he has not been the disastrous centre-forward that many would have you believe. Throughout his recent goal drought, there was only one performance, the 0-0 draw with Burnley, in which he was an actual detriment to the team. His all-around impact still made him a valuable individual to have. And even during his struggling form, it is just form. It is temporary. His ability is permanent.

When it comes to either-or with Lacazette and Aubameyang, which it shouldn’t, many will side with Aubameyang. But Lacazette is two years his junior, has another year on his contract, and is a better all-around centre-forward, which is evidently a more significant skill in Arteta’s system given how the Spaniard has been unwilling to play Aubameyang through the middle.

So yes, Lacazette is struggling for form. And yes, plenty will want him dropped from the team and sold in the summer. But he is still valuable to this team and should be considered a part of its future.