Wenger hopes for Lacazette Prem goal spree

ARSENE Wenger is hopeful new signing Alexandre Lacazette can transfer his sensational goalscoring ratio into the Premier League.

The Gunners will kick-off the new season tonight when they host 2015/16 champions Leicester at the Emirates Stadium, with club-record recruit Lacazette likely to lead the line.

While there remains question-marks over the Arsenal future of Alexis Sanchez, who misses the visit of the Foxes with an abdominal injury, Lacazette will be aiming to become a new fan favourite in north London.

The 26-year-old France international boasted a goal every 86 minutes in Ligue 1 for Lyon last season and, after forking out £45 million, Wenger believes Lacazette can be just as deadly on this side of the Channel.

“With Lacazette it’s simple,” he said when asked about the player’s qualities.

“He is an intelligent player who can integrate our game well as we have a game backed on mobility, technique and I think he can integrate that well.

“After that we get the efficiency. His record in France is to score one in 80 minutes.

“If he can maintain that record that would be ideal for us. As a game is in 90 that would guarantee you a goal (in every game).”

As well as Sanchez, Wenger could be without a number of other key players for the season-opener and had fitness concerns over Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Shkodran Mustafi and Per Mertesacker.

Laurent Koscielny is suspended which means Wenger’s other summer signing, Sead Kolasinac, is in line for his full debut.

Neil McCann delights at the goal.