Alan Shearer has defended Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette for the manner in which he took his penalty during his side’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (13/03/22 at 6:45 pm).
The former England striker added that Leicester keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, wasn’t happy with the ‘stop-start’ technique the Arsenal captain used to take the spot-kick.
Arsenal were leading 1-0 when the penalty was awarded for handball, which nobody had a problem with, it was just a case of whether Çağlar Söyüncü should have been sent off.
But moments after Lacaette blasted his first goal in nine into the top corner to make it 2-0, Schmeichel could be seen running to the referee moments after to complain about the manner in which the penalty was taken.
Despite the protest from Leicester’s number one, Shearer was having none of it and sided with the Arsenal striker.
“Well, he would have a problem, he’s a goalkeeper,” said Shearer. “I don’t see any problem with that.
“Kasper won’t be happy that he stop-starts his run. You wouldn’t have known that, the way he took that penalty, he hasn’t scored for so long because that was taken with confidence.
“High into the net. The goalkeeper had absolutely no chance and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s a good penalty and it rightfully stood.”
It was another captain’s performance from Lacazette and one in which he was able to top with a goal.
The Frenchman may not be hitting the back of the net like Shearer in his prime, but he is certainly valuable to this young and ever-progressing Arsenal side.
Ever since Mikel Arteta handed over the captain’s armband to Lacazette, he has taken it in his stride.
Not only have his performances hit the roof, so have Arsenal’s, including them sitting fourth in the Premier League table – one point ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United with three games in hand.
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