Arsenal have unveiled their latest acquisition Alexandre Lacazette after years of chasing the now former Lyon striker.
The Premier League side have taken a massive show of commitment towards rebuilding the side after reaching new lows last term.
Arsene Wenger is expected to tie up outstanding deals and get set for the pre-season in a time where many expect more. Wenger seems to have gotten his replacement after the exit of Robin van Persie. Since the exit of the Dutchman, Arsenal have managed other strikers but none was quite at that level.
Wenger chased Luis Suarez but it ended in the Merseyside club laughing out and being embarrassed at the £40 million and £1 bid. The hunt for Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, KarimBenzema and EdinsonCavani all ended futile.
Through the wait, Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud, YayaSanogo, Danny Welbeck and recently Lucas Perez have played in the role that used to have marquee signings. Welbeck is the likely one that would remain past this summer to help Lacazette settle down in his new role.
Podolski and Sanogo are out. Giroud seems headed for West Ham, Everton or Lyon as he would want where he can get regular football ahead of the 2018 World Cup. Perez has not repaid the faith in him after Wenger splashed £17 million last summer so he seems headed back to Spain.
The deal for Lacazette is believed would reach a record £52 million. This is the Wenger under pressure to seal his two decade legacy at the club, not the cautious Frenchman. The question is would Lacazette, 26, impress at the Emirates, because so much is expected of him even before he kicked the ball at his unveiling.
The player has admitted that many question his achievements in the Ligue 1 – 91 goals in 133 games over four years. He seeks to give a reply and “make further progress.” Wenger did not need to go overboard to tempt the player formerly headed for Atletico Madrid. The development and height reached by players like Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Van Persie were enough reasons to join Arsenal. Many expect Lacazette to use his instinctive finishing, his power and pace to help Arsenal rise again. Time will tell.