ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE may be leaving Arsenal at the end of the season, but the Frenchman is going out on a high.
The 30-year-old has stepped up perfectly just when Mikel Arteta needed him most after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang jumped ship in January.
Lacazette provided two assists in a 3-2 Arsenal winCredit: Reuters
Lacazette has scored two goals in four Premier League games, including today, since Aubameyang’s departure, but he brings so much more than goals.
Two assists this afternoon in Arsenal’s 3-2 win prove that.
And while his expiring contract could have resulted in a lack of effort, Lacazette showed the exact opposite of that against Watford.
His unselfish play at Vicarage Road freed up the space for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard to play off him brilliantly.
His hold up play was exemplary, and the distribution to the red arrows Saka and Martinelli marauding down the wings either side of him was inch-perfect.
Lacazette’s clever back-heel into the path of Saka set up the second goal, and he also assisted the third with a lovely cushioned pass into Martinelli.
This was all after Arteta yesterday revealed a striker is Arsenal’s No1 priority in the summer window.
But with Lacazette he already has someone who perfectly complements his young guns.
The Spaniard said Arsenal need someone who: “Puts the ball in the net, that’s priority number one.
Lacazette starred up front again for the GunnersCredit: Reuters
“[A] goal threat. Any successful team needs enough goal threat in the squad. Without it, you have nothing.
“You can play good football but you need enough goal threat in the team.”
While Lacazette didn’t get on the scoresheet himself at Vicarage Road, his performance allowed the youngsters around him to shine.
It begs the question of whether a big money arrival might just restrict the likes of Saka and Martinelli going forward next season.
A more selfish striker might not be as willing as Lacazette is to set up his team-mates.
So while it is clear the Gunners do need to add another finisher, losing Lacazette may also result in a few less goals for the likes of Saka and Martinelli.
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