ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE IS THE NEW IAN WRIGHT – IS THIS WRIGHT?

Alexandre Lacazette recently completed his £52.6 million move to Arsenal making him the club’s record signing, eclipsing Mesut Özil’s record transfer worth £42.5 million.
The Lacazette chapter is soon to commence in the rich history book of Arsenal Football Club, the genre of this tale is yet to be established, nevertheless, it has all the makings of a perfect romantic narrative. Lacazette who captured the hearts of Arsenal fans in his very first interview with the club, “I am of course very delighted and proud (to join), Arsenal is a legendary club. Throughout my childhood, thanks to Thierry Henry and other French players, I always dreamed of playing for Arsenal”, he then went onto say “I want to give 100% in every game, I want to do everything to show I am worthy of the shirt”. These quotes left Arsenal fans in awe and drooling over the prospect of seeing him in an Arsenal shirt.

Lacazette’s tale at Arsenal continued. Following his heart fluttering interview for the fans he travelled with the squad to Australia. There he began profoundly, scoring just 15 minutes into his debut against Sydney FC. Since then he has featured in five more pre season games, only scoring one more goal but with each performance Lacazette appeared in, so did his confidence and technical ability materialise.

Lacazette who broadcasted his brilliant first touch and clinical eye for goal on tour, then had the chance to do so infront of the home crowd at the Emirates. Lacazette scored his first home goal when he started in the 2-1 defeat to Sevilla. Regardless of the result, Lacazette had one of the positive performances of the match. He involved himself in the fast flowing football and found his name on the score sheet, in addition to this, Lacazette also showcased his proficiency in hold up play and created space for teammates to run into. Furthermore, Lacazette has the know-how and vision to pick out teammates with a pass, linking up with close one touch passing around the box and also more notably connecting with the Arsenal wing backs impressively.

Lacazette is new to the pace, formation and league, and he seems to have adjusted well enough. With each performance he appears to improve, linking up better with teammates the more game time he gets with them. Lacazette has fitted in nicely with the bunch, looking very happy in the group; which will only mean a quicker settling in period.

Lacazette was compared to Ian Wright by former Liverpool player Gerard Houllier. The comparison can be seen as: both find space in tight penalty areas, both are mobile and sharp on the ball, both are very fast and both are clinical goal scorers. Lacazette has a better first touch than Wright and is more comfortable in wide areas having spent the early stage of his career on the wing. Lacazette has all the credentials to be as successful as Ian Wright, having being the top scorer in France in the past 4 seasons combined. In addition to this, Lacazette responded to the comparison to Ian Wright with gladness, “If I have a career where fans think of me like they do about Ian Wright then I’ll be very happy”, furthermore, he said “I want to write my own chapter here”. This quote emphasises the greatness of his character. He doesn’t want to repeat the history, he wants to rewrite it in his own style.

So overall, it can be said that Lacazette and Ian Wright are similar players, however, Lacazette being more versatile and possessing a better first touch, meanwhile, Ian Wright being slightly more explosive, it will be interesting to see how Lacazette’s career will pan out at Arsenal. But, if he continues his prestigious goalscoring record in England then he will make the fans as happy as Wrighty. The signs are all pointing to the stars, but will Lacazette’s Arsenal career be a glorious fairytale told over countless years, or forgotten in history?

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