In a summer of gigantic transfer deals for proven goal-hungry strikers, like Romelu Lukaku to Man United, and Alvaro Morata to Chelsea, not to mention the enormous figures being touted for Kylian Mbappe, could Alexandre Lacazette prove to be the bargain of the summer at just 53m GBP?
It took the Frenchman just 94 seconds to open his Arsenal account on his official Emirates debut, and Arsene Wenger believes that Laca gives the Gunners more power up front, although he has also hinted that he can play alongside Oliver Giroud out on the wing. “Lacazette is simple in every game.” Le Prof said. “He is stronger since he has joined us, you know and even when I played Giroud through the middle and him on the left, he did very well on the left, so overall I think he adapts slowly to the way we want to play and he is a collective player and an intelligent player as well.”
As for adapting slowly, Laca himself admits that he still has lots to learn about the English game. He said after opening the scoring on Friday. “It was a rollercoaster ride but it went well,” said Lacazette. “We let in some goals we could have avoided but we’ll work to ensure we don’t concede any more like that during the season. Fortunately we ended the game on a high.
“I think it was still too early [to celebrate properly when I scored]. That’s how it came about but I think it was perhaps too early to celebrate because we didn’t know how the match was going to pan out.
“It was good. Obviously I’m still getting used to the English game, the positives and negatives, shall we say, but I’m learning. It’s interesting. Let’s say the referee tends to let play continue… and you only really understand that when you experience it. Not that it’s a positive or a negative, it’s just the way the game is and you get used to it. It’s nice.
“It is different to the French league but I knew that already. It’s up to me to adapt.”
He may be still learning, but if he scores in every game while he’s doing it, then I will be very happy! He has shown his skills in pre-season, despite being unfit, and to score with his first chance against Lricester bodes well for the future. Do you think Wenger has nabbed the bargain of the summer?
Sam P