Arsenal 3-1 Valencia: 5 Talking Points and tactical analysis

#2 A game of two halves for Alexandre Lacazette

Despite missing chances, Lacazette was a constant menace

The summer of 2017 saw Arsenal splash the cash for a certain French striker who had made a living making the net bulge in France. However, after being thrust straight into the frenetic Premier League, he laboured through the season with several questioning the enormous fee paid for him.

However, a season later, that same French striker is one of the first names on the Gunners’ team sheet.

Lacazette has looked a man possessed under Emery this term and has been on hand to pull Arsenal out of trouble many a time. On Thursday, it was no different.

In the 18th minute, the Frenchman adroitly turned his marker and played an inch-perfect through-ball for Aubameyang. His Gabonese strike partner held the ball up efficiently and laid it on a plate for Lacazette to finish.

The striker added to his tally minutes later with his poacher’s instinct on display. Having gotten goal-side of Facundo Roncaglia, the Frenchman delayed his run a touch before accelerating into space. In the process, he created time for himself to head past Neto.

However, with a hat-trick up for grabs, Lacazette was guilty of spurning several opportunities in the second half.

To start off, he missed a header from eight yards out when he failed to make contact. A scuffed finish when eyeball to eyeball with Neto followed next while his deflected shot was also saved by the Brazilian keeper.

Yet, it would be extremely naïve to judge the striker based on the chances he missed after the break.

Throughout the game, he harried and harassed the Valencia defenders into mistakes. Moreover, he was a constant menace with his movement as his propensity to drop deep and then spin in behind left the visitors’ defence clueless.

Over the years, the Gunners’ strikers have been accused of misfiring at crucial junctures. Yet, with Lacazette in the ranks, those criticisms are on the brink of being silenced.

As for people questioning his transfer fee last summer, maybe the Frenchman is justifying his price tag.