Arsenal: 3 reasons why Lacazette’s performance was special

On a night that acted as a timely reminder of the quality of the young players at Arsenal, there was no avoiding the brilliance of the captain on the night.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out in the wilderness after his latest infraction prompted him being stripped of the captain’s armband and a place in the squad, the duty fell to his close friend and colleague, Alexandre Lacazette.

The best compliment that can be paid to the Frenchman was that he put in a captain’s performance.

Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe grabbed the goals on a glorious night in the club’s Premier League season, the former being assisted by the No. 9 who showed the side of his game that has become more synonymous with him in his latter years.

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham: 3 best elements of captain Alexandre Lacazette’s performance from vital Premier League win

In reality, Lacazette is a fraction of the player Arsenal signed for £48m in the summer of 2017. The man who walked through the Emirates doors is in almost every way a shadow of his former self. But what hasn’t changed is his commitment, his tenacity and his application. He is the embodiment of a team player.

After another standout performance the topic of his contract situation will arise. By now you hope Arsenal have learnt from past mistakes – not least with the current Aubameyang situation acting as a fine example of what not to do – and displays like those shouldn’t cloud judgement solidified over the past few years.

He is, however, an Arsenal player and someone who will play a vital role between now and May. If he can maintain levels like these for the vast majority of coming 21 matches then Mikel Arteta’s side have every chance of a successful season.

This performance in particular was unlike many others in recent months. Lacazette was terrific, but in ways previously unseen. There was plenty to admire from him.

1. His Energy Levels Never Suffered

Lacazette has been a 65-minute player for quite some time. There comes a stage in every game where he needs a hot cup of tea, a La-Z-Boy recliner and a James Bond re-run on the tele.

Having started against Everton and Southampton prior to Wednesday, and made it until the 83rd minute against the Saints, the second half fatigue felt inevitable. His tenacious style and lung-busting work rate tends to see him collapse by that mark.

Against West Ham that never came. Everyone began to tire, naturally, as even Gabriel Martinelli was blowing with the game wearing on as he covered Kieran Tierney but couldn’t commit to the same level of endeavour in transition.

This was a huge improvement. He may be 30 years old but there is no reason why a professional footballer shouldn’t be able to make it until the end of matches (or 89th minute in this case) when they feature as infrequently as him, which may be the exact point. Set for a regular run in the side, if this is what he needed to build up his fitness then it’s arriving at precisely the right time.

Aubameyang’s omission looks set to be extended and with AFCON coming up – which it may or may not be – having him in a physical condition where he can surpass 70 minutes and avoid Arteta having to make a pre-meditated substitution opens the door for possibilities in-game.

Never letting his work rate drop, a Lacazette who can fulfill 90-minute duties with that degree of dedication will do wonders in the former captain’s absence.

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