Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
RAVE NEW WORLD
‘Prem is a huge step up.. it’s bigger, stronger and faster but that’s exactly what I’m looking for’
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE admits he has entered a ‘whole new world’ in the Premier League following his move to Arsenal.
The Gunners’ club record signing says he faces a major step up from playing in Ligue 1, but is relishing the challenge of being the club’s main goalscorer next season.
Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger has been crying out for a proven striker over the years and looks to have got his man after the club pulled out all the stops to clinch his £52million signing from Lyon.
Lacazette, 26, who scored 37 goals in just 45 appearances last season, said: “Everything has changed. I felt I was entering a new world.
“In terms of the players, the technical staff, the football – everything is different.
“That’s what I was looking for. I need to adapt as soon as possible. It’s bigger, goes faster, stronger – it’s good. It’s a great league.
“Even against the smallest team it’s not always easy. I can’t wait to see how the season goes.”
Lacazette wasted no time getting off the mark in north London when he netted his first goal at the Emirates during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.
The France international received a standing ovation from the Gunners’ fans and is hoping to help Arsenal win silverware when they face Chelsea in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
Wenger has no doubts he has everything in his game to become one of the great strikers in the Premier League, but says he could take him a few weeks before he hits top form.
Wenger said: “It’s very difficult, because sometimes it takes a few months, sometimes very little time. The only thing I must say with Lacazette, week after week he looks to adapt quickly.
“But overall I think it will take him one or two months.
“He is in the right place. To score goals is to be in the right place when the cross comes. He has that quality.”