Of course there will be haters. Arsenal fans are well aware of this and to be fair we are often the first to criticise Arsene Wenger, our club and our players for any perceived flaw, so I would not be surprised to hear some Gooners as well as the fans of our Premier League rivals being negative about the signing of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for what looks like being an Arsenal transfer record of around £50 million.
People are saying that we have paid too much for a striker who may score goals in the French Ligue 1 but who has not really shone on the international stage and who may struggle in a tougher league, while there are also questions about why Arsenal seemed to be the only real suitor for the Frenchman.
To all the doubters I would simply say, look at the stats. Maybe the French league is easier but the fact that Lacazette has scored more goals there in the last four seasons than any other striker including Edinson Cavani who was in a league of his own when playing in Italy’s Serie A tells you that the new Gunners star is right up there.
The Mirror has reported a list of stats that show just how well Lacazette’s numbers compare with the top players around Europe. These include his fantastic ratio of converting chances and his creating of chances for other players as well, so do not let any negative thoughts about Arsenal’s new forward bother you Gooners.
1. Over the last four seasons, he has scored more Ligue 1 goals than any other player…
2. Last season, only six players across Europe’s top leagues scored more goals than him…
3. In fact, last season, he scored as many goals as Luis Suarez… and two more than Harry Kane…
4. Only Lionel Messi can match his all-round game over the last three years..
5. His finishing is better than that of any current Arsenal forward..
6. He scores more frequently than any current Arsenal forward..
7. Last season, he created more chances than Giroud, Walcott, Welbeck and Perez combined…
Wenger has paid a lot but he has also got a hell of a lot of player for that money.
Watch all 37 goals that Lacazette scored last season on our new Arsenal Videos Page
Bob.