Arsene Wenger claims Alexandre Lacazette’s confidence MIGHT be in the toilet because Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, and fans have hit the roof.

I can’t help but feel for Lacazette.

The 26-year-old came to north London from Lyon for £52m in the summer and was probably sold the dream of becoming Arsenal’s first choice striker. He would have Mesut Ozil behind him and a fellow Frenchman as a manager.

But the striker’s first seven months in the Premier League haven’t gone as planned and he’s only completed a full 90 minutes seven times.

Now that Arsenal have signed Aubameyang, Laca’s time on the pitch is set to become even more limited.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal reacts following a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on February 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Wenger acknowledges that signing the Dortmund star might have impacted Laca’s confidence.

“He has gone through difficult periods before. It can happen – it is a fraction of a second,” Wenger said, reports the Telegraph. “Maybe the confidence is not at its highest because he has seen a competitor coming in for him. He created two chances – and that is a quality as well.”

You don’t say, Arsene?

As a fan, I’m not going to complain about Arsenal signing one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. But you do have to wonder what sort of impact that’s having on Lacazette and what’s going through his head right now.

What’s probably affecting the France international more, however, is Wenger’s tendency to either drop him to the bench for big games or take him off when Arsenal need goals. The dude scored 37 goals in 45 appearances for Lyon last term and while the boss claims he needs to bed in, it’s been seven months.

After their initial anger towards Laca in the wake of his two late misses against Spurs on Saturday, Arsenal fans have decided the main man to blame in this situation is Wenger.