Ft7Ball
By Mikel Arteta’s own admission, during the turmoil in August after back-to-back losses at the start of the new season, that Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were the leaders in the Arsenal dressing-room. A minor turnaround has followed and the Gunners find themselves currently placed fifth in the Premier League table and pushing for a Champions League spot, even after Thursday night’s reversal at Old Trafford.
Laca, as he is fondly called by Arsenal fans, made the club’s ambition clear in no uncertain terms. “We want to go to Europe obviously, we want to go to the Champions League. The dream for everyone is to have the Premier League but we know it’s going to be really hard. But I think we can go to Europe, the Champions League, and why not a cup,” said the Arsenal striker in an e-mail interview. Under Arteta, the north London club is yet to get their hands on silverware and the desire seems reasonable. Lacazette was sent in as a late substitute for his strike partner Aubameyang with Arsenal trailing 3-2 against United on Thursday night but the experienced French striker failed to recreate the magic. With strikers “going in for the press to win the ball back” being fashionable, Arteta had separated Arsenal’s striking duo for the match. Not really happy to warm the bench, Lacazette has accepted the change. “It’s my third season under Arteta and fifth altogether with the Gunners. I must say my game has undergone change.
“Now I think I’ve improved tactically as well, and I understand more of the game. At the moment I’m playing in a different position as well. I’m not playing as a number nine as before. I play a deeper role and I try to improve the game for my partner so yeah, it’s a different game for me but I enjoy it.”
With not-so-hot Everton next up on Tuesday, Arsenal and Lacazette have a good opportunity to grab three points away from home.
Lacazette, 30, has been at Arsenal since 2017, scoring 51 times in 136 appearances. However, the Frenchman has found his role slightly diminished since Arteta took over in December 2019. His celebration routine with Auba (Aubameyang) offered a lot of cheer to the Arsenal fans. But next summer one may see the French striker fly away to warmer climes.
(Catch the Everton vs Arsenal fixture on Dec 7th at 1:30 AM, Live on Star Sports Select)
Laca, as he is fondly called by Arsenal fans, made the club’s ambition clear in no uncertain terms. “We want to go to Europe obviously, we want to go to the Champions League. The dream for everyone is to have the Premier League but we know it’s going to be really hard. But I think we can go to Europe, the Champions League, and why not a cup,” said the Arsenal striker in an e-mail interview. Under Arteta, the north London club is yet to get their hands on silverware and the desire seems reasonable. Lacazette was sent in as a late substitute for his strike partner Aubameyang with Arsenal trailing 3-2 against United on Thursday night but the experienced French striker failed to recreate the magic. With strikers “going in for the press to win the ball back” being fashionable, Arteta had separated Arsenal’s striking duo for the match. Not really happy to warm the bench, Lacazette has accepted the change. “It’s my third season under Arteta and fifth altogether with the Gunners. I must say my game has undergone change.
“Now I think I’ve improved tactically as well, and I understand more of the game. At the moment I’m playing in a different position as well. I’m not playing as a number nine as before. I play a deeper role and I try to improve the game for my partner so yeah, it’s a different game for me but I enjoy it.”
With not-so-hot Everton next up on Tuesday, Arsenal and Lacazette have a good opportunity to grab three points away from home.
Lacazette, 30, has been at Arsenal since 2017, scoring 51 times in 136 appearances. However, the Frenchman has found his role slightly diminished since Arteta took over in December 2019. His celebration routine with Auba (Aubameyang) offered a lot of cheer to the Arsenal fans. But next summer one may see the French striker fly away to warmer climes.
(Catch the Everton vs Arsenal fixture on Dec 7th at 1:30 AM, Live on Star Sports Select)
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