Alexandre Lacazette has denied reports Arsenal wanted to sell him in the summer.
The 27-year-old French striker is currently enjoying a second campaign at the Emirates Stadium following his move from boyhood club Lyon in 2017.
Did Arsenal really want to sell Lacazette? Five key things to know…
- Lacazette joined Arsenal for £46.5m in 2017 after scoring 28 goals in 30 league matches for Lyon.
- The Frenchman would go on to score after 94 seconds on his Premier League debut at home against Leicester City.
- But Lacazette went through a barren run over the Christmas period, causing Arsenal to buy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
- The Gabonese striker’s arrival caused doubts over Lacazette’s future, but he was told by Arsenal they had no wishes to sell him in the summer.
- Lacazette finished the 2017/18 season as Arsenal’s leading scorer (17 goals) but doesn’t represent France at the World Cup finals in Russia.
Lacazette’s first season also happened to be the final undertaken by Arsenal’s most successful manager Arsene Wenger, who stepped down after more than 20 years in charge.
The following summer brought forth reports of Lacazette looking for pastures new after just one year in north London; injury troubles, which cost him eight appearances, had consequently impacted on his performances as well as competition with Aubameyang to lead the line were cited as possible reasons.
However, no such departure ever came to fruition, with Lacazette since pointing out his enjoyment playing for the 13-time English champions a mood that has only been enhanced after being reassured there’s a place for him at the club and there’s no chance of them letting him go.
“When first I think of Arsenal, it was when Titi Henry played for Arsenal and scored goals. Now I’m there so I want to make the fans happy,” he told Arsenal Player.
“I signed for Lyon at 10. At seven they wanted me to sign but my dad said, ‘it’s too early, you need to learn with your friends and just have fun’.
“I needed the next step. A few years ago I talked with Arsenal but it was not a good time. When they came I was so happy and the discussion with Arsenal and the club was so quick, and with me it was so quick.
“I’m happy because I know now the league, I know my players, my team-mates. The club is happy because this summer they didn’t want to sell me; they told me ‘we are happy to have you in the team’.”
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How has Lacazette fared this season?
Under new boss Unai Emery the Lyon-born marksman has become a central figure. Lacazette has featured across 15 matches in all competitions registering six goals and creating a further four for his teammates.
No fewer than five of those strikes have come in the Premier League; a brace away to Fulham in October has been surrounded by efforts against Cardiff (away), Everton (home) and Liverpool (home).
The Gunners are presently on a 10-match unbeaten run in England’s top division with Lacazette starting and finishing in eight of the those fixtures. He’s subsequently forged a partnership with Aubameyang after Emery found a place for both of them in his starting lineup.
His performances subsequently earned him a recall for France ahead of their recent matches against the Netherlands and Uruguay but after consultation with Arsenal doctors it was decided his return would be delayed until next year.
QUIZ: Can you name every Arsenal signing under Arsene Wenger?
Lacazette is among the final signings made by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.
Here’s a fiendish challenge; are you able to name every transfer made by the legendary French manager during his 21-year rein in north London? Let us know how you go on in the comments below or on Twitter @Squawka.
The post Alexandre Lacazette denies claims Arsenal tried to sell him appeared first on Squawka News.
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