Whilst Alvaro Morata and Romelu Lukaku are the ones that are taking all the plaudits since their summer moves, Arsenal’s club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette is going slightly under the radar.
The French international arrived in the Premier League with a mightily impressive goal-scoring record for Lyon and he’s shown no signs of letting that slip with a relentless start to life in England.
In scoring his match-winning double on Monday night Lacazette became the first Arsenal player to ever score in their first three home Premier League matches, setting hopes high for what’s to come.
He proved to be the difference between a dogged Baggies side, completing 100% of his four take-ons in an inventive display, and he nearly had a hat-trick only to blaze over when through on goal.
Just to put into perspective how good a player Arsenal have found themselves, Lacazette has scored once every 88 minutes since August 2016 – the sixth best record of anyone in Europe’s top five leagues – above Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Aguero.
Up against a Brighton & Hove Albion side on Sunday that are still finding their feet in the Premier League, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will no doubt look to Lacazette to inspire once again.
He was rested for the mid-week Europa League trip to Belarus to face BATE Borisov, meaning he’s nailed on to start, and with confidence running through his veins it’s hard to bet against him scoring.
The 26-year-old has already shown that he’s a predator inside the area but he’s also added a much-needed clinical edge to the Gunners, scoring with four of his seven shots on target so far this season.
Yet he’s also got a selfless side on the field, making six key passes and completing eight of his nine attempted dribbles this year, and his awareness of his teammates leaves him open to assist points.
Against the Seagulls he’s almost certain to have a few more sights of goal and, if the north London side are to record their third win in the space of six days, you can count on Lacazette being involved.
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