Alexandre Lacazette has said that he’s not asked to defend in the Arsenal team, although admitting it’s an area of his game that he’d like to improve.

The French striker was discussing his FIFA 18 stats with Rio Ferdinand during the game’s launch in the UK. Ferdinand asked him about defending, claiming that he used to tell Manchester United’s attackers to get back and help out during his playing days.

Lacazette, however, revealed it wasn’t quite the same at Arsenal. “I would like to increase my defending, but in my team they don’t ask me to defend,” he said, reports the Metro. Arsenal tend to have a more selective approach to defending.

In most home games, I feel it’s clear that Lacazette isn’t asked to do much more than just press the opposition a bit. However, in the away game at Chelsea, it was evident the 26-year-old was asked to play a disciplined role as the team’s first line of defence.

Similarly, he was also a part of a more aggressive press in the 3-0 victory over Bournemouth. It’s likely that for some games, Arsene Wenger would rather Lacazette conserve his energy for attacking the opposition rather than use it to track back.

The former Lyon striker, though, has demonstrated that he has a good work ethic, and does often chase after players in an attempt to win back possession high up the pitch. If he does that without being prompted to, it certainly reflects well on his attitude and application during a game.