Former Ireland international Tony Cascarino believes that Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette should look to Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero for inspiration, as the Frenchman looks to try and get his Gunners career back on track.
The France international, who joined Arsenal back in July 2017, extended his run of games without a goal to nine at the weekend as were held to a goalless draw at Turf Moor.
It meant the striker has not scored since Mikel Arteta took over as head coach back in mid-December. Arsenal did get a lot of chances but still the Frenchman was unable to boast a shot on target.
Lacazette’s barren run in front of goal has come as a surprise to most, with the former Lyon striker having found the net six times in the Premier League this season prior to Arteta’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium.
Alex Lacazette has now gone 14 hours and 57 minutes of football away from home without a goal in the Premier League.
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) February 2, 2020
Arsenal take on Newcastle next and leading online bookmaker Buaksib are putting good numbers on the Frenchman breaking his goal drought.
In his column for The Times, Cascarino said: “Alexandre Lacazette needs to up his game. It was not a great game at Turf Moor yesterday and the Arsenal man’s poor display stood out. He just does not look as if he is capable of playing the way Mikel Arteta wants. He doesn’t seem to fit the system.
“Lacazette wants to play purely as a goalscorer. That is not enough. He has to up his work rate and do the closing down and running his new coach demands of him. At the moment, he looks shorn of confidence because he is not fulfilling his role in the team.
“Sergio Agüero would be a good example for him to follow. He knew he could no longer get into the Manchester City team just as a goalscorer. He had to work hard too. If Lacazette does not realise that soon, he may find he is not an Arsenal player next season.”
To date, Lacazette has 42 goals for the Gunners, but this extended period without a goal will be the longest so far in his Arsenal career.
Another Arsenal player caught lacking in this regard is Mesut Ozil as well. Frozen under Emery and looking a frustrating figure, the German has been re-instated back to the Arsenal fold by Mikel Arteta.
Although it would seem like Emery’s antics and comments were justified. With the latest comment coming from the former Arsenal boss being that “Mesut Ozil was not a top player during his tenure”.
Alexandre Lacazette's last Premier League goal away from home: 9th February 2019
Mesut Özil's last Premier League assist away from home: 30th January 2018
No time like the present. ? pic.twitter.com/b6cVPID5Q7
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 2, 2020
Under Arteta, Ozil is yet to score or assist and has come under further criticism of what exactly he brings to the Arsenal side. For a player of his calibre to go even five games without a goal contribution is poor. 14 games is more embarrassing but a year without an “assist” which he is popularly praised for is outright shocking.
All pointing to the fact that the common thought of Arsenal’s devastating attack is even fading with each passing game-week. Despite bringing Nicolas Pepe in a club-record deal, the Ivorian is yet to get to full stride and is also among those who are not living to the potential and quality we know they have.
As things stand, the outright best the Gunners can hope for is a top-six finish and if luck comes through, a fourth-place finish at best. That does seem unlikely going by recent performances though.
It all ends with one line of thought – there is a lot of work to be done to get Arsenal back to glory days.
