With the Telegraph now reporting Alexandre Lacazette is being linked with Arsenal, the Gunners fans in the Transfer Tavern are getting excited at a rumour that seems to be gathering pace.
The Gunners go into 2016/17 on the back of a second place finish last season, eventually overtaking arch rivals Tottenham on the final day. It was a season that started full of hope as the Emirates faithful saw an opportunity to take the Premier League title open up.
Chelsea’s title defence fell apart whilst Manchester United and Manchester City underwhelmed – it seemed the Gunners had it all going their way before they themselves let Leicester City in to secure the most unlikely of championship victories.
It was a season that highlighted Arsenal’s weaknesses again, one of which the lack of striking options, as well as how close Spurs were getting to being the top side in north London and these combined have got our landlord thinking.
If Arsenal want to address these issues Lacazette could be the answer and here are FOUR reasons why…
Striking options
Both clubs need extra players up front to bolster their squads. Arsenal currently only have Olivier Giroud as an out and out forward but he’s too inconsistent to be a title winning player by himself.
Meanwhile, Spurs only have Harry Kane who if injured would leave the club with little back up. Both sides need an extra forward but you’d argue Arsenal need Lacazette more and should try and get the deal over the line quickly.
Spurs are closing in
Last season showed the Gunners that Tottenham are closer than ever to overtaking them in the league.
Their fierce rivals really should have finished second before crumbling in the last few games but prior to that looked as though they were going to push Leicester all the way for the title. Arsenal need to act if they want to open the gap up again and signing a player of Lacazette’s quality would help do this.
Fits Arsenal’s playing style
Lacazette would fit into Arsenal’s tactical set up better than he would at Spurs. The Gunners play with a three pronged attack that Lacazette could play in down the left, right or through the middle.
Meanwhile, if he was to join Spurs he’d probably be played in a deeper midfield role behind Harry Kane and this would limit his effectiveness. Arsenal should sign Lacazette as they would get the best out of him.
Lacazette and Giroud’s link up
The prospect of Olivier Giroud and Lacazette dovetailing should excite Arsenal fans. Giroud has good and bad days but you’d think he’d have more good days with the Lyon man running off him.
It’d be the classic little and large strike force up front and give the Gunners a different dynamic and the potential to mix it up a bit more when plan A fails. Arsenal need a young forward
In Harry Kane Spurs have a forward that has years ahead of him and will only get better, Arsenal, however, do not boast this.
The Frenchman doesn’t have too many years left at the top of the game you could argue and Arsene Wenger must be looking to the future.
Lacazette is a younger player than Giroud, has time to reach his prime and would lead Arsenal’s line long after Giroud leaves the club.
