Wenger defends Lacazette

ARSENE WENGER has conceded that Alexandre Lacazette’s confidence has taken a knock but insists he is not concerned by his record signing’s goal drought.

Lacazette hit the ground running following his £50million move from Lyon last summer, netting four times in his opening six league fixtures for Arsenal.

But the 26-year-old France international has now gone nearly 10 hours without finding the back of the net — he last scored in the 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at the beginning of December — and he was largely ineffectual in the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final draw at Chelsea before he was substituted in the second half.

Lacazette, however, is likely to be given another chance to recapture his form when sixth-placed Arsenal travel to a Bournemouth side just above the English Premier League relegation zone today.

Wenger could be without Mesut Ozil as he battles a knee issue, while the ongoing uncertainty over Alexis Sanchez’s future may result in him being unavailable.

Olivier Giroud is still out with a hamstring injury.

Speaking about Lacazette’s lack of goals, Wenger admitted: ‘It certainly affects him a little bit, but I am not worried.

‘He was diminished a bit physically on Wednesday night against Chelsea because he was not at his best before the game, but he was also very isolated.

‘It was a difficult game for a striker because he did defend a lot, but overall I don’t worry that he will come back and it’s in cycles.

‘At the moment, he’s going through a cycle that is a bit more frustrating for him.’