LACAZETTE JOY AT END OF HIS GOAL DROUGHT

ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE has admitted he endured a “hard, complicated” time during his two-month goal drought.

Lacazette got on the scoresheet for the first time since the start of December in Arsenal’s win over Newcastle on Sunday and says he was “touched” by the reaction of his teammates as they celebrated with him.

The Arsenal striker said: “I am really, really happy because I waited for this moment for a long time. I am touched because of the way all my team-mates reacted when I scored that goal. It means a lot to me and a lot for the spirit we have.

“It was really hard and complicated because sometimes I had games with no chances, sometimes I missed, or the goalkeeper saved it. For a striker it is always hard when you don’t score, but it happens in football.”

Lacazette has also revealed how manager

Mikel Arteta (below) tried to keep up his confidence even though he dropped him from the starting line-up against Newcastle.

The French international said: “He (Arteta) demands a lot of things. I wouldn’t say he is strict, but he knows what he wants.

“He talked with me to give me confidence.”

As for talk of a Champions League place for finishing fifth, thanks to Manchester City’s European ban, Lacazette added: “It is early to talk about that because they can appeal. Yes of course it is an opportunity, but we just want to win for the fans and to finish as high as possible.”

Lacazette has also insisted Arsenal fans must be patient with Nicolas Pepe as the £72million club-record signing begins to show his full potential.

“The Premier League is the hardest league in the world so you have to be patient with new players,” he said.