Alexandre Lacazette may only have played a handful of games for Arsenal but Arsene Wenger thinks there are similarities between his compatriot and the club’s legendary striker, Ian Wright.

The summer signing from Lyon has two goals to his name since joining for a club-record fee in the summer and the boss is hoping he can add more by mirroring the aggression that was the hallmark of Wright’s era.

“There are similarities,” Wenger told Arsenal.com. “Maybe Lacazette is a bit less aggressive than Ian Wright but hopefully he will get that because in England you have to survive. Up front is a very difficult position because you get harsh treatment sometimes.

“He looks to have shrewdness and overall I believe if the team plays well he looks always to be at the end of some interesting movements.”

Wrighty signed for the Gunners from Crystal Palace 26 years ago and went on to score 185 goals in 288 appearances. In Wenger’s eyes the game has changed a fair bit for strikers since his former charge was in his pomp.

“I would say the speed of the defenders has improved a lot [from when Wright was playing]. The numbers of defenders you have in front of you has improved as well because today everybody recovers very quickly.

“What has not changed is that a striker always has to choose the optimum decision in the situation he faces. Maybe there’s less time to make that decision and to execute it. You need always to make intelligent decisions.”