Wenger: Lacazette is not just a goalscorer

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hailed Alexandre Lacazette for adapting to the Premier League so quickly and says the French striker has a lot more to offer than just goals.

Lacazette, who scored twice as Arsenal beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Monday, now has four goals in six league games. He became the first Arsenal player to find the net in his opening three home games in the league since Brian Marwood in 1988.

“He’s not only a goalscorer, his link up play is good,” said Wenger. “He fights as well, he’s not fazed by the physical challenges that West Brom gave us and overall he looks to adapt quickly and very well,” he told the club’s website (www.arsenal.com).

“I took him off because he was tired. He had an opportunity to score a hat-trick, but I gave him the penalty as well ... what you want is to win the game and not to take any gambles because if they come back to 2-1 it can be nervy.”

Arsenal face BATE Borisov in Belarus in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion in the league on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher does not expect Rafa Benitez to have a long stint at Newcastle United but backed the Spanish manager to keep the promoted side in the Premier League.

Former England international Carragher, who played under Benitez at Liverpool between 2004 and 2010, feels the manager could leave if he falls out with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

Benitez was unhappy with the club’s business in the transfer market after failing to land their main targets, despite Ashley promising him “every last penny” to improve the side.

“If I’m being totally honest, I don’t expect to see Rafa Benitez at Newcastle over a sustained, long period of time,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“I think eventually something will happen with him and the owner and unfortunately for Newcastle this is not going to be a happy and long marriage.

“So enjoy it while here.”

Carragher, who was part he’s of the Liverpool side that won the Champions League in 2005, said Benitez will ensure Newcastle are not in the relegation fight.

“I don’t think there’s any chance of Newcastle going down, just because of the manager. He is very pragmatic and he’ll make it very difficult,” he said.

“In every game Newcastle have, you’ll very rarely see them lose 4-0 or 5-0, as you might see teams in the bottom half of the table.

“I think that’s where Newcastle will be, but I don’t expect to see them in a relegation fight.”

Newcastle, who have nine points from six games, will look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion when they host Liverpool in the league on Sunday. – Reuters