For Alexandre Lacazette, the final stages of the Europa League represent an opportunity. He will, no doubt, be fully aware of that.
On Thursday last week, the Frenchman scored twice as Arsenal beat CSKA Moscow 4-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final meeting. The sense of relief was palpable. He celebrated the second, a penalty, with two clenched fists, roaring at the Arsenal fans behind the goal with a look that seemed more like steely determination than happiness.
Lacazette will need that determination if he is to succeed at Arsenal. He has endured a difficult first season in North London. A prolonged goal drought – he found the net just three times in four months – and injury problems have hindered his progress after a promising start.
The arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January for a club record fee did not bode well, either. Lacazette appeared bereft of confidence and self-belief.
Arsene Wenger insisted that the former Lyon man still had a part to play, that he would regain his form and find a place in the team. “He has gone through difficult periods before. He works hard in training, works on his finishing,” Wenger said in February. “He will score goals. He is a goalscorer, he scored goals in his whole career. He will score again. Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him.”
Lacazette did score again, although not until earlier this month against Stoke, after he had returned from a knee injury. He had been sidelined for nearly two months and needed surgery. “It was really frustrating but now I don't regret it,” he said. “The surgery is in my past so now I can play 100 per cent and I am happy.”
There has been a noticeable improvement, an increase in desire since he returned. But he continues to be eclipsed by Aubameyang in the Premier League: the Gabonese forward has scored six goals in just seven league games.
It seems, then, that the Europa League is the best chance for Lacazette to prove himself in the final weeks of the season. Aubameyang is cup-tied for the competition, which leaves Lacazatte, as was expected when he arrived from Lyon, as Arsenal’s main man.
He has already exploited the ageing, almost dilapidated CSKA defence once, and it would not be a surprise if he were to do it again. And beyond the quarterfinals, Lacazette should be capable of making a further impact.
If he leads Arsenal to success in the Europa League, Lacazette will likely be considered worthy of leading the line, alongside Aubameyang, come the start of next season. If he fails to perform and Arsenal crash out, Lacazette could find his future again shrouded in doubt.
Motivation, then, should not be lacking. The attention for Arsenal is now predominantly on the Europa League, given their disappointing Premier League campaign, and therefore Lacazette will be thrust firmly under the spotlight. He will need to take advantage of that, particularly if Aubameyang continues to score prolifically in the Premier League.
Lacazette will be aware, too, that the Europa League final will be staged in Lyon, where he was born and where he made his name as a player. He will likely be envisaging a perfect end to the season, in his homeland. Should he inspire Arsenal to silverware, Lacazette’s struggles throughout this season will be all but forgotten.
“It would maybe be the best day in my life,” he has said of a potential win in Lyon. “I want a trophy and that is why I came to Arsenal.”
