While former Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, rates Alexandre Lacazette, he reckons that Arsene Wenger can make him even better.

Using the likes of Thierry Henry, who signed for Arsenal just before his 22nd birthday, and Nicolas Anelka as previous examples, Keown claims that Wenger can make Lacazette into an even better player.

“Think of Wenger and the players he’s worked with, what he’s turned them in to,” Keown said on BBC Radio 5 Live after his former team’s 2-0 win over West Brom.

“I can think of a young Thierry Henry coming to Arsenal playing in a wide position. Lacazette would have seen that.

“He’s (Wenger) worked with George Wear, Dennis Bergkamp, (Nicolas) Anelka – so many good strikers.

“They all end up better players for working with Wenger. And with Lacazette we’re seeing that improvement, that really clever movement, that calmness, that finish.

“I think he’s an excellent signing and when he plays for France I’m sure he’ll take on board what he’s learnt from Wenger and become an even better player.”

The Gunners signed Laca for a club record of £52m from Lyon over the summer after trying to nab him the previous year, so it’s clear that Wenger has big plans for the 26-year-old.

Laca already has all the foundations in place. He’s just about to hit ‘peak age’, had the best conversion rate in Europe last term (38.9%) and scored 37 goals in 45 appearances. His movement is pretty tasty and his work rate is also impressive.

lacazette
Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (L) shakes habds with Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger as he is substituted off of the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 25, 2017. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

However, there’s always room for improvement and that’s where Wenger comes in.

The striker has already scored four goals in six Premier League appearances – two of which came against West Brom on Monday night. All have been at home, so that’s four goals in three games at the Emirates.

The France international is great to watch and seems to be bedding into English football just fine. Although adding some away goals to his tally would be good, I’m sure that’ll come with time and confidence.