Despite impressing at Arsenal recently, Lacazette hasn't had a look in for Les Bleus

Arsenal forward; Olympique Lyonnais hero. Firing for the Gunners, but not for France. Pourquoi? Didier Deschamps says no. What more can be done in North London to book a Eurostar ticket?

Alexandre Lacazette follows a long lineage of French players at Arsenal. Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Robert Pires, the list goes on. Those four all had successful stints with Les Bleus, too.

Lacazette does not have such a luxury, having been frozen out of France's national team for 11 months now.

Missing out on Russia 2018, Lacazette likely spent the summer with eyes fixed on the TV screen. If asked, the media-friendly striker would have probably expressed delight about his country's World Cup triumph; however, there must have been some elements eating him up inside. He was playing at the top level, arguably performing better than some Les Bleus members, yet was not selected.

Two international windows have since passed, with France competing in the UEFA Nations League, and again Lacazette was forced to watch from home. When questioned as to what he must do, Deschamps replied: ''Continue the good work at Arsenal''. It's a deceitful answer at best. A positive spin on, ‘he’s playing well, but he’s not good enough’.

I happen to disagree.

Why Lacazette Needs France

After joining the Gunners last July, Lacazette was coupled up with his fellow Frenchman, Olivier Giroud. The pair were often described as chalk and cheese. Arsene Wenger preferred the former Lyon frontman. Deschamps, meanwhile, held the opposite view.

The Anglo-French banter was in full force at the Emirates during 2017. Lacazette and Giroud filled the strike force with a fair few goals, including both getting on the scoresheet in the same match at home to Huddersfield Town in November.

Lacazette has totalled 22 competitive goals for Arsenal. Five of which have been scored this campaign. His recent brace against Fulham means he's the club's second-top marksman, just one strike behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Lacazette twice broke the 30-goal barrier while at Lyon. Deschamps has a prolific striker available. So why isn't he interested?