Martin Keown and Joe Cole believe Alexandre Lacazette delivered a strong performance as Arsenal beat West Ham thanks to those around him, speaking on BT Sport 1 (15/12, 22:08).
Lacazette captained the Gunners to a 2-0 win at home to the Hammers on Wednesday. He retained the armband for the London derby after boss Mikel Arteta stripped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the role for a ‘latest’ disciplinary breach, with a replacement to be named.
Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe provided the goals for Arsenal to beat West Ham. Lacazette provided the assist for Martinelli’s opener, but also missed from the penalty spot.
Lacazette played an inch-perfect pass between West Ham stars Craig Dawson and Vladimir Coufal to free Martinelli for Arsenal’s first. He was heavily involved in the action all night to link the Gunners’ play, dropping deep to receive the ball and shield the Irons’ defenders.
Keown and Cole explain why Lacazette shone in Arsenal win
Lacazette impressed Arsenal icon Keown and West Ham product Cole with his performance on Wednesday. The Gunners’ three-time Premier League winning former defender felt the Frenchman played a big role in Arteta’s plans, and responded well to taking over as captain.
“There has to be a platform for those front-three to go do what they do,” Keown said. “And Lacazette played a big role tonight because his best mate was left out of the team, in terms of the captaincy as well, and he was really professional. I thought he looked really sharp.”
Cole also built on Keown’s suggestion that Lacazette thrived thanks to the pace Arsenal had around the forward. The 30-year-old started at the front of Arteta’s attack, with Martinelli to the left and Bukayo Saka on his right.
“Do you know what he done well tonight, and I think it really benefits him, having all of that pace around him,” Cole said. “He’s 30, he’s not rapid. But having all that pace around him, he’s dropping into the pocket, there was runners in behind. He looked rejuvenated.”
Martinelli’s goal personified Lacazette thriving thanks to the pace Arteta had around the Arsenal striker against West Ham. The £182k-a-week forward could drop deep to receive possession, turn and play the ball knowing he had a teammate who could run in behind.
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