Alexandre Lacazette says he’s not interested in the opinions of people outside of Arsenal, and prefers to focus on his club and his teammates.
Lacazette hasn’t always received the kindest feedback on his performances since joining Arsenal, particularly during his goal drought last winter. However, since his knee surgery, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s signing, the goals have returned in a big way.
Now the striker has four goals in four pre-season games against Boreham Wood, Atletico Madrid, PSG and Chelsea, and only failed to score in one of those matches. He looks ready for the new season, and insists to the media that he’s already put last season’s criticism behind him.
“I do not care about people’s judgement,” Lacazette said in So Foot. “I know that if I stay at Arsenal, the club will be happy and my teammates too. It’s over (the winter goal drought), and for me it’s the past. When I do not score, of course I’m frustrated but it’s over.
“It was my first season, so I can’t be too hard on myself, even if I want to score more goals. I learned from all this and I’m happy to start a new season.”
Overall, Lacazette scored 17 goals last season, despite undergoing that mid-season surgery. If he can push that up to 20 or more this year, with Aubameyang also getting 25+, Arsenal will be in great shape up front.
Whilst there’s room for improvement, of course, Lacazette’s numbers in 2017/18 don’t raise any massive causes for concern. A goal or assist every 125 minutes is a good starting point in a new team and a new country.
Let’s hope he can add another on Saturday night against Lazio, and then start the season strongly against Manchester City next weekend.