Why Lacazette's Arsenal form faded
FT Desk
- Updated: 12 Aug 2022 17:26 BST
- 3 min read
Ex-Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette suggested that feeling unwanted at the Emirates Stadium contributed to his decline in form towards the end of his stay.
Lacazette completed a free transfer to Lyon at the start of the summer, returning to his boyhood club after five years in the Premier League.
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During that time he played 206 times for the Gunners, scoring 71 goals and helping the club to FA Cup honours in 2018-19.
During his last term, however, Lacazette's touch in front of goal eluded him. The France international hit just four Premier League goals in 30 outings and that lack of firepower cost Arsenal dearly as they missed out on the Champions League.
He has now favourably compared his reception at Lyon with that final year and hopes to rediscover his best form back home.
How Lyon convinced Lacazette to move back
"I met the president (Jean-Michel Aulas) and Vincent Ponsot (general manager) in March. And from March, I really felt a desire on their part [to make the transfer happen]," Lacazette explained to RMCSport as he detailed Lyon's courtship prior to arriving.
"Honestly, every week, they called my agent. Me, I wanted to take my time, finish the season. To remain professional with regards to my old club. And then, I saw several offers.
"Really the project and the desire they had, the fact that they believed in me, that's what tipped the balance.
"As early as March, I really felt a desire on their part, and that's a bit what I had missed in my last years. This feeling of being wanted, feeling a little... love towards the player."
Lyon and Lacazette kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign last weekend with a 2-1 defeat of Ajaccio, the ex-Arsenal man adding his side's second from the penalty spot to open his account for the season.
They are back in action on Sunday with a visit to Lorient.
