So long, farewell and ‘bon voyage’ to Alexandre Lacazette

Now we face that final curtain.

He played in 206 matches that spanned five years of service, notched 71 goals as well as 36 assists and achieved one memorable FA Cup triumph at Wembley. But at last, the final grains have emptied from the hourglass of Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal career as the veteran forward closes in on an emotional return to boyhood club Lyon.

The 31-year-old arrived in July 2017 as a marquee signing to rekindle the Gunners’ historic French connection and he won favour with each of his three managers in north London, enjoying many positive experiences such as a hard-earned reputation for being a ‘big game’ player and the highs of a stellar 2018/19 campaign that saw him claim Arsenal’s Player of the Season award.

In addition to the personal accolades, Lacazette also became known for his infectious personality, leadership qualities and powerful competitive spirit. He was often entrusted with the captain’s armband by Mikel Arteta and commendably led the division’s youngest team through the turbulent period that followed the controversial winter exile and subsequent departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Farewell to Alexandre Lacazette as he prepares to leave Arsenal after five years at the club 

However, the peaks are levelled out by several troughs, and the Frenchman’s goalscoring record and contributions at Arsenal will be widely regarded as underwhelming. Failing to surpass the modest total of 14 Premier League goals in a season, Lacazette never came close to emulating the success of his striking predecessors in red and white and poor club form condemned him to the periphery of the international scene, making just three appearances for France since his club-record transfer.

There are also notable shortcomings to his game that have drawn supporters’ ire, with his inability to impose himself on the pitch and ask questions of opponents the cause of much consternation alongside his wastefulness in front of goal, while persistent fitness struggles frequently prompted his withdrawal early in the second half.

So as we bid ‘adieu’ to our number nine, we give thanks for the moments of adrenaline-fused jubilation: Four wonderful strikes in the North London Derby, the header against Atletico Madrid that brought a fleeting glimmer of hope for European glory, and a sensational free-kick during our Europa League run under Unai Emery that silenced the raucous Stadio San Paolo in Naples and secured a crucial away goal.

His stay at Arsenal ultimately fell short of expectations and this is the right time to part ways, but hopefully, he can rediscover his spark in the familiar surroundings of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.