The news that Alexandre Lacazette has signed for Arsenal for £46.5m has lifted spirits in the red half of North London. Since finishing outside the top four and losing Champions League football, hope has been hard to come by for Arsenal fans. Alexis Sanchez is yet to sign a new contract, as is Mesut Özil. With all of the vitriol directed toward the manager, the club needed to make a statement signing to appease the fans – and Lacazette is that statement. But have Arsenal signed him for his obvious talents, or simply to convince the fanbase this past season was an aberration?
The player
Alexandre Lacazette has been a target of every rich club in Europe for years – since his rip-roaring performances in 2014-15, in fact. The Frenchman tore up Ligue 1 that year, ending the season as the league's top scorer. A slight dip the following season still saw him score 21 times in the league, a number that would be the envy of most strikers. The 2016-17 season was his moment – 37 goals in all competitions made him a target for everyone, including Atletico Madrid. The Spaniards planned to replace Antoine Griezmann with Lacazette should the former decide to leave. Although that move fell through, there's no denying anymore that Lacazette is a world-class striker.
Wants vs. needs
So Arsenal buying Lacazette is a natural move for any rich club. But the question still stands – if Alexis Sanchez does choose to leave, will Lacazette be enough to fill the void? And of all the players Arsenal could have bought for £50 million, is this French striker exactly what the Gunners need to revitalise the club? It depends on why you believe Arsenal fell short this season. If it was down to a lack of goals then Lacazette is certainly a move in the right direction. And Sanchez was the primary source of goals for the side, managing 24 in the league. Losing him with no proper replacement would be a disaster.
Defensive frailty
Although Arsenal probably needed a top class striker, it is arguably not their most pressing need. A defence that conceded 44 times last season should be the focus of attention. Whenever Koscielny didn't play it seemed like the Gunners were shaky at the back. Although the club has moved to acquire Sead Kolasinac, there are other excellent defenders available this summer. Defensive midfield is another area that requires reinforcement – Granit Xhaka has shown he possesses fantastic passing ability but limited defensive nous. Coquelin has more bad days at the office than good, and Wenger does not seem to trust Elneny.
The elephant in the room
The key to Arsenal's summer is not who they bring in, but rather who they lose – the question marks over Alexis Sanchez need resolution sooner rather than later. If he does end up leaving, the club will need to make another attacking signing to cover his departure. Lacazette alone won't be enough. Besides, it would make their signal of intent a damp squib. Considering the signings Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton have all made, the competition at the top of the table will be more intense than ever. Arsenal cannot afford to be left behind.
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