Arsenal thrashed Fulham 5-1 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League today. It’s the Gunners sixth league win in a row and has seen them rise to third spot in the table.

New Gunners boss Unai Emery is starting to see his hard work on the training ground pay off.

Another reason for their upturn in form has been the inclusion of Alexandre Lacazette in the starting line-up.

He was on the bench for the first three games, interestingly they lost the first two and were drawing the third until his introduction.

Arsenal are always at their best when they’ve got an attacking philosophy and having Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the same team is their best option as they work so well together. We’ve seen that partnership flourish in recent weeks.

Emery still doesn’t seem to want to go with the two starting up-top together and that means Gabon international Aubameyang gets played out on the left wing. Given that, I’d expect to see more goals from Lacazette.

For me, the French striker has all the attributes needed to lead the Premier League’s scoring charts.

Now don’t get me wrong it won’t be easy.

Liverpool have a phenomenal front three and any of them could win the golden boot, Mohamed Salah secured the prize last term. Tottenham Hotspur hitman Harry Kane is consistently sensational in front of goal and was the World Cup’s top goalscorer. I don’t think you can discount Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku just yet and over at Manchester City, Sergio Augero is once again hitting top form. Chelsea attacker Eden Hazard has been ruthless so far this term and he’s currently the league’s top scorer.

Even Aubameyang will be looking to challenge the top scorers with his final tally come May.

Yet I do think Lacazette certainly has the skillset to be amongst the top strikers.

Former Gunners goal-getter Ian Wright is also impressed with the French forward believing him to be a better suited to the striker’s role than Pierre-Emerick:

“I think Lacazette is the better straight up number nine,” 

“He is a really clinical finish given the opportunity.”

The twenty-seven year old has scored four goals in his eight appearances in the Premier League this term and he’s also created two assists, three if you include his nineteen minute cameo in the Europa League.

Alexandre is a very smart player, he constantly seems to get himself into good positions. He links-up well with teammates, he’s able to hold the ball up, receive it in deep positions and score from outside the box. He has that turn of pace that can evade challenges and he’s also quick at turing on the ball and getting a shot away, witnessed today with his first goal.

The power that Lacazette can generate from his shots, especially the ones he takes quickly, can make it fairly impossible for the goalkeeper to keep them out of the net if they’re on target!

In his debut season with The Gunners last term, the former Lyon man wasn’t always at his best. Like everyone else, he suffered from a lack of confidence during Arsene Wenger’s last year in charge of the football club. Alexandre looks a lot happier this season and with that renewed confidence we are seeing a more prolific marksmen lead Arsenal’s line.

His recent form has been recognised with Alexandre being nominated for September’s player of the month award.

Lacazette arrived as one of the top goalscorer in Ligue 1, he showed glimpses he can be a regular scorer in England’ top flight last season without truly looking comfortable and confident.

Under Unai Emery, the whole Arsenal squad looks a lot happier and much better in the final third. Alexandre Lacazette certainly looks settled and happy and with that I’m expecting a lot more goals from him.

Enough to get the golden boot? That’s too difficult to tell at this stage but he has the ability in his locker and it wouldn’t surprise me as long as Arsenal and the striker himself continue in the same rich vein of form!

Posted on October 7th, 2018 by scott
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