Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs West Ham United: 5 things we learned – Champions League hopes alive

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Michail Antonio of West Ham United battles for possession with Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images )
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United at Emirates Stadium on March 07, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Harriet Lander/Copa/Getty Images ) /

2. The Lacazette effect

During his goal drought and underwhelming run of general form, there has been a growing portion of the Arsenal fanbase that has come to heavily criticise Alexandre Lacazette’s every performance. As Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bangs home goal after goal, his great friend is left behind, and many supporters look past the dirty work the Frenchman does in their analysis of his value to the team.

However, if you wanted the perfect illustration of just what Lacazette provides as the lone centre-forward, this was it. Superb hold-up play, pinpoint passing, including one lovely ball into Mesut Ozil who should have done better to get a shot on goal, strength to repel the attempted dominance of central defenders, and an eye for goal, assuredly planting home a simple finish on the volley, his third goal in his last four games.

In comparison to Eddie Nketiah, whose touch was poor and lacked the strength to hold off the West Ham defenders, Lacazette’s impact was clear to see. This is why he is so integral to Mikel Arteta’s system as the lone centre-forward, and it is why Arsenal would be wise to be patient as he looks to rediscover his Player of the Season form from last year.