Arsenal failed in a summer pursuit for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette but they may not have needed him anyway.
Former Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette
The summer of 2016 witnessed the latest instalment in Arsenal’s seemingly incessant pursuit of the mystical ‘world class’ striker fans crave.
After the unsuccessful pursuit of Leicester City hitman Jamie Vardy, the Gunners turned their attentions to Olympique Lyonnais forward Alexandre Lacazette, as reported by the BBC. But this move also failed after Jean-Michel Aulas, chairman and owner of the French club, insisted, as quoted by the Express, that the striker would be going nowhere.
That, however, is no bad thing for Arsene Wenger’s team.
Buying the Lyon man would have put Arsenal back to square one. The Gunners have already dipped their toes in the Ligue 1 striker pool and ended up with Olivier Giroud, who was the league’s leading goalscorer for Montpellier when they won the division in 2012.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud
Despite Giroud clearly being an excellent player, Arsenal found themselves in need of a truly ‘world class’ player a couple of years down the line. Who is to say that would not be the case with Lacazette, who has achieved even less than the current Arsenal man had during his time in France?
Moreover, paying the reported £60m asking price would have been tantamount to insanity; a reflection on a volatile and ludicrously inflated market. Spending money like that would have likely closed the door for good on any potential superstar who may become available at a later date.
Perhaps more than anything, it’s hard to look at Arsenal’s current front line and say that Lacazette would have been guaranteed to start. Theo Walcott looks a new man, chasing every ball and getting into the right positions. Alexis Sanchez, operating as the central striker, is superior to Lacazette technically and his movement is improving game by game, increasing the Gunners’ fluidity.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez in action
With the Chilean in the middle, there is now room on the flank for Alex Iwobi, undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s best young players. Any move for Lacazette would have been detrimental to Iwobi’s development; a risk that just isn’t worth taking given the Nigerian’s immense promise.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi in action with Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic
While many Arsenal fans were desperate for the Frenchman to join their ranks, the evidence so far this season suggests the Gunners are better off without him.
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