ALEXANDRE
First, he was staring down the Prague players refusing to take a knee.. then forming an ’A’ goal celeb with Pepe.. Lacazette is the new Gunners talisman
ARSENAL FULHAM Emirates: Tomorrow, 1.30pm
PAUL BROWN
MIKEL ARTETA says Alexandre Lacazette is the glue holding Arsenal together in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners proved with the Europa League romp over Slavia Prague that they could win without Aubameyang, who missed the game with malaria.
Arteta admitted it’s biggame players like Lacazette who have stepped up – and hinted that the Frenchman is playing himself to a new contract. Arsenal boss Arteta said: “He really glues the team together and that’s a quality that is not easy for a striker. He’s got it.
“In key moments and in big matches, you need players – and senior players who have this experience – to make the difference for you. In his style and in his development, even if he’s soon turning 30 years old, he’s on the right path because he’s very willing to learn.
“He’s doing things in a much better way than before. The team is enjoying playing with him because he knows the team is ahead of anything.
“He is not a selfish striker at all but he has the ambition to score in every game. He is complementing those two things in a really clever and efficient way. I hope he recovers today and then on Sunday scores more goals.” Lacazette is entering the final year of his contract and his Arsenal future remains in doubt with Roma, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid all watching developments.
But he struck a brace in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United and then hit two more in the 4-0 win over Slavia (left), taking the skipper’s armband from Aubameyang (above).
And from the moment Lacazette strode forward defiantly to take a knee directly in front of a Prague team who stood before kick-off, you could tell he had become a leader.
Now he is set to lead the team again tomorrow against Fulham as Aubameyang will not be rushed back after spending two days in hospital earlier this week.