Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette (Photo by Catherine Ivill / Getty Images)
Arsenal’s striker situation has not improved much, and it must be noted that Alexandre Lacazette is digging a bigger hole.
Last year Alexandre Lacazette didn’t score many goals for Arsenal. He didn’t count many templates either. But he still took our player of the season home, and not because there were no other options. It’s because he honestly deserves it.
That’s because we all agreed that he did so much outside of the gates. His raid game, his navigation in a confined space, his connection, everything was enormous.
Not so much this year. Indeed, rarely, if at all. He was not well represented upstairs and Mikel Arteta was not worried. He has sat Lacazette several times for Eddie Nketiah. It was Nketiah who led Arsenal to the break, and it is Nketiah who continues to lead the Gunners after the break.
Before the break, Lacazette scored at least as a submarine. Now he doesn’t even do that. It’s just there somehow. From time to time he’ll put together a reasonably decent round or open up a decent opportunity, but we have so many other people who can.
Last but not least Eddie Nketiah, who has scored a striker’s first goal since his return.
Lacazette met Sheffield and had the usual opportunity to counter Nketiah’s performance. Nketiah has of course just scored a goal against Southampton.
In response, Lacazette didn’t even get a shot. He created two key passes, none of which meant anything, and collected only 25 touches of the ball in 66 minutes.
I don’t have to tell you that these numbers are not good. And not for a long time.
His biggest contribution was being fouled in the penalty area for a penalty. I mean, sure, that was a big contribution, but it was just a touch. I can remember a few other times when I nodded in agreement with a positive turn. But that’s not enough either. Nicolas Pepe was completely dominant for about an hour. Bukayo Saka rose as the opportunity presented itself.
But Lacazette? Some nice details. Otherwise very little. Since Nketiah is already in the lead in the race, this performance is the kind that gets you around the corner pretty badly. Good luck coming back.
