Arsenal now must be regretting their decision on losing Lacazette for zero fee in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal regretting Lacazette transfer after two years?
This campaign has been a genuine grind for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta’s team have had to face dips in form recently. That could be due to suspect refereeing, and a lot of injuries. But that has surely affected their attack.
Saka, Martinelli, Jesus and Havertz are all sidelined due to injuries. With the latter two not returning until next season. That makes the decision not to sign anyone last month look completely shocking.
It would be clear to describe Havertz as a centre-forward who is a big figure. After all, the former Chelsea star was initially brought to the north London side to fill the void left by Granit Xhaka in summer 2023.
But the negative comments regarding his finishing have truth to them. As Understat has shown him to have underperformed by 2.76 in expected goals this term. He has been more potent than individuals may have given him credit so far this season.
The 25-year-old is named as “monster” by author Jake Entwistle. In 34 games prior to his injury, he played a total of 2776 minutes. He was able to get quite a total of 15 goals and five assists.
That is to say the striker was registering a goal contribution every 1.7 games, or every 138.8 minutes. That makes him the Gunners’ leading scorer this season. But it also explains why his absence from the team for the rest of the campaign is such a major issue.
The former Arsenal man is called ‘goal machine’ by his ex-teammate
The 33-year-old left the Gunners on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. He had 71 goals and 32 assists to his credit in 206 games. That’s an average of a goal contribution every other match. And he has added a tally of 63 goals and 12 assists in 103 games for Lyon. It would be fair to assume he would’ve been the perfect answer to Havertz’s recent injury.
The French “goal machine,” as he was once called by former teammate Sokratis, has been compared to one of the most thrilling players in Europe this year, Man City’s Omar Marmoush.
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