For Petr Cech, it’s only a matter of time before Alexandre Lacazette starts scoring for Arsenal again, having endured a recent slump in form.

December has been a difficult month for Lacazette. The Frenchman has gone three games without a goal and continues to be taken off around the 70th minute for Olivier Giroud.

He cut a frustrated figure after his most recent substitution in the 1-0 win over Newcastle. Lacazette had missed a presentable chance in a game where opportunities for him were scarce.

Petr Cech, though, isn’t worried about him and feels he’ll improve once Arsenal adapt to his style of play. “Alex is a very intelligent player. The way he plays the game, obviously he has adapted quickly to the way we play,” he said, as reported by the Mirror.

lacazette goal celebration

“I think we, as a team, we need to get more out of him because sometimes he makes a very good movement but the ball does not arrive every time at the right moment.

“I think it’s a matter of time. But for a player who has just come to the Premier League, I think he’s had a pretty good run.

“He has immense quality in front of the goal. If you see his ratio from how many shots he actually takes it’s just a matter of time before more goals will come.”

Lacazette averages 2.2 shots per game in the Premier League this season, which is far fewer than other strikers in the division.

Despite that, he has eight goals for the club, making him the top scorer. Arsenal have spent £52m on someone whose runs in behind are often ignored by his teammates, and who has completed 90 minutes just twice.

He’s also been left on the bench for two key away games against Liverpool and Manchester City. It hasn’t been the explosive start to his Arsenal career we hoped for, but with any luck, things will improve for him as the season goes on.