Steve Bould believes that Alexandre Lacazette’s injury could be a blessing in disguise and rates him very highly.
Talking to Arsenal.com, Steve Bould showed his admiration for Arsenal’s summer signing Alexandre Lacazette. Bould said:
"“It’s [the injury] unfortunate for the kid, but this little break might have done him a world of good actually. The Premier League is different to the French League where he came from, he’s found it physically tougher. It might be a blessing in disguise the fact that he’s had a month off. He’s actually a very, very, very good football player. I was quite surprised…I don’t mean this in a derogatory manner whatsoever.” – Steve Bould"
He also spoke about how Lacazette is much more than just a poacher, and that if Arsenal needed the Frenchman to, then he could potentially play in a number of positions across the front line.
"“He could play number ten. He’s a really good football player, he’s not just a goalscorer, he’s not an out-and-out striker, he can play.” – Steve Bould"
He then added that it would be difficult for players abroad to settle in quickly. We have seen many great players come over to the Premier League from a foreign country and struggle to adapt, while at the same time many have impressed.
"“I think the physical element has surprised him a bit and caught up with him, which it does with many players who come from abroad. Like I said I think the last month may have helped him, I know he’s been working in the gym. We’re hoping he comes back sharp.Lots of the great players go through these times, it’s not a worry.” – Steve Bould"
As Bould rightly points out, it is very important that Lacazette is given some time to prove himself. If you look at the history of foreign players who have come to Arsenal, players such as Thierry Henry and Mesut Ozil, they all took a while to get going.
It isn’t easy for a new player to get used to a different culture of football so quickly. The Premier league is more physical, than tactical. Mesut Ozil, for example, put the hours at the gym and bulked up in the beginning of 2015. The succeeding season, he gave 19 assists for Arsenal, helping the club finish runners up to Leicester City.
The underlying fact is that with time, a quality player will end up succeeding in the Premier League. It isn’t very easy finding a player of Lacazette’s calibre in the transfer market.
It is also important for Arsenal to find the right system to get the best out of him. He needs someone supporting him. The only player willing to support him in the box is Aaron Ramsey. It is no coincidence that Lacazette went on a 7 match goal drought when Ramsey was injured. Perhaps, playing alongside Aubameyang will get the best out of Lacazette.
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Lacazette is now back to full training. He has all that it takes to make it big in the Premier league. It is imperative that Arsenal fans back him through his rough patches and then reap the benefits of a world class striker later on. It will be worth it.