According to Daily Mirror, Alexandre Lacazette is unsettled at the club and the former Lyon man is considering a switch to a different club in Europe. The 27-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017 for a club-record fee, scored 14 goals from 32 appearances in the Premier League last season.
However, things have changed for the Frenchman following new manager Unai Emery’s arrival. He hasn’t started in any of the three games this season, with Emery opting to play Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the lone man up front.
As it seems, Emery often relies on Aubameyang to spearhead the attack for the Gunners. However, he has turned to Lacazette in times of need. Lacazette, who currently earns wages in the region of £200,000-per-week, came on as a substitute in each of the three matches and played an important role in the game against West Ham United. At the same time, he also failed to convert a few half-chances against Manchester City on opening day. It is probably the change of roles that hasn’t gone well with the Frenchman.
To be fair, there is nothing wrong with the player and Lacazette has looked his usual self even when brought on as a substitute – getting past defenders with a sense of agility and firing shots. He should hit top gear with more game time as the season wears on.
The controversial situation regarding Lacazette comes as a major headache for Arsenal just before the transfer deadline day. Arsenal should try to do everything to hold on to the Frenchman at least till January because the Premier League transfer window has already closed, meaning the Gunners would be unable to sign a replacement. Since Aubameyang is prone to injuries, Lacazette’s departure could prove to be a disaster for Arsenal.
Arsenal have Alex Iwobi in their ranks and Emery must provide the youngster with a fair share of the opportunities as the season wears on. The Nigerian is primarily an attacking midfielder but can also play as a forward. However, he is nowhere near as prolific as Lacazette.
Although Lacazette has slipped down the pecking order to a certain extent, Emery must take care of the situation with tact and diplomacy. After all, Aubameyang has not been in the greatest form and missed a sitter against Chelsea. Considering the fact that Aubameyang has struggled to register even a single goal, Emery should hand Lacette a start in the next game.
On the other hand, Emery could also play Aubameyang and Lacazette together at some point in the season, given the fact that the former is capable of playing from the flanks. The combination of Aubameyang and Lacazette up front could contribute to a lot more goals if the duo builds a healthy understanding.
The 27-year-old Frenchman is not only a prolific goal-scorer but he also has the ability to support build-up play. With his ability to hold on to the ball, he often releases his teammates into open spaces with key defence-splitting through balls. He is also adept at taking accurate long-range shots and does not hesitate to put his foot through the ball.
Arsenal do not have too many choices in the attacking third and no one in the current team can replace the prolific Frenchman. That said, Emery should make all efforts to appease the player and keep him at the club.
