Arteta hails ‘improving’ Arsenal 29-year-old who played with a ‘sore back’ last night

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Mikel Arteta told his post-match press conference that Alexandre Lacazette has been in ‘really good form’ for Arsenal in recent weeks after he helped them to a 1-0 win against Brighton on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old came off the substitutes bench last night and scored less than a minute of his introduction despite having a ‘sore back’, according to his manager.

Lacazette found the back of the net during Arsenal’s win against Chelsea last time out, but was on the bench for yesterday’s encounter as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to the side.

After the match, Arteta was full of praise for his player, who is scoring some crucial goals during difficult periods for the club.

“I think he has been in a really good form in the last few weeks,” said Arteta. “He is full of confidence. Today he had a sore back, so he couldn’t start the game. He came on and won the game for us which is of massive importance.

“It was a great move from Bukayo to create the action that he did. But then I think apart from his finish, it was his movement, the counter movement that he made to create the space for himself. The touch and the finish. I think it was a brilliant goal.

“I think Laca has been working really hard since I have been here. His workrate has never been an issue. The goalscoring record could improve. But it’s improving because he’s so willing to do it for us – he finished the game against Chelsea with some pain and we had the opportunity to refresh that and use him in other moments.”

From Arteta’s perspective, it’s now about building consistency in his starting XI and ensuring players cement their places in the side.

If that happens then it will create some much-needed competition, consistency and level of quality within the squad.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith-Rowe, Pablo Mari and Kieran Tierney can hold their hands up and say that they should be regular starters