Sign up to FREE email alerts from Football London - Arsenal Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

It’s remarkable that Arsenal are about to break their transfer record to sign a striker who scored 37 goals last season, and yet the news doesn’t seem to have been met with universal glee among the Gunners support.

Perhaps due to fans being intoxicated by the prospect of landing Kylian Mbappe, the proposed acquisition of Alexandre Lacazette for around half the price doesn’t exactly have people dancing in the street.

However, there’s plenty for fans to get excited about when it comes to Lacazette - not least that he could be the striker to truly unlock Mesut Ozil's creative potential.

While Alexis Sanchez’s future remains in considerable doubt, it seems that Ozil is one marquee name who will be at Arsenal next season. Even if he does not deign to sign the contract extension currently on the table, there are no convincing reports of interest from elsewhere.

Arsene Wenger may have moved away from the 4-2-3-1 formation that made Ozil the centre-piece of his Arsenal team, but the German intonational remains integral to his plans. If anything, the uncertainty over the Alexis situation makes Ozil all the more important.

For the last few years, much of Wenger’s transfer strategy has been geared around Ozil’s presence in the side. For example, his decision to allow Cesc Fabregas to rejoin Chelsea was based on his desire to give Ozil unilateral authority as the team’s playmaker.

(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

However, thus far Wenger has failed to provide Ozil with the lethal goalscorer required to capitalise on his extraordinary creative gifts. For most of Ozil’s time in north London, Olivier Giroud has been Arsenal’s first-choice striker.

Lacazette’s critics cite Didier Deschamps' preference for Giroud over Lacazette in the French international side. However, that is missing the point.

Giroud is excellent at what he does, but Arsenal invariably look like a better side with a more mobile frontman. Ozil, too, tends to be most dangerous when given a rapid roving target for his through-balls.

France have a different approach to Arsenal - one for which Giroud is better suited. Furthermore, international selection is not an impeachable guarantee of quality - and nor does absence from the international side necessarily mean a player can not excel at club level.

After all, Arsenal legend Ian Wright regularly found himself overlooked for the England team. If Lacazette offers even a fraction of Wright’s contribution to Arsenal, few will be complaining about the mooted €50 million fee.

Wenger has tried to find an effective foil for Ozil. Theo Walcott failed to develop the tactical intelligence required to fill the role, while Danny Welbeck’s wastefulness means he tends to offer everything but the goal.

Lacazette, however, does have the requisite attributes to exploit Ozil’s generosity. He is quick, and there is variety and ingenuity to his runs. He began his career on the wing, so is comfortable darting out to the flank as well as lurking in the six yard box.

He’s also an unerring finisher. In front of goal, he has the presence of mind to take time before picking his corner. Every time he runs through on the keeper, he showcases intelligence and technique.

Bizarrely, some doubters have attempted to use the number of goals he scores from the penalty spot as a stick to beat him with. Instead, that’s sure evidence of a man with total confidence in front of goal.

Put it this way: Would you trust Danny Welbeck with a penalty kick? Thought not. By contrast, Lacazette is invariably ice cool.

Of all the striking options linked with a move to Arsenal, Lacazette is arguably the most suited to playing alongside Ozil. Alvaro Morata is an impressive target man, but not the repeat sprinter the Gunners need.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is outstanding on the counter-attack, but Arsenal tend to play in a more patient, possession-based style. Arsenal get Ozil on the ball, then ask him to release runners. Lacazette is precisely the kind of darting dangerman the Gunners need.

Should Arsenal lose Alexis, they will turn to Ozil to lead the team into the 2016/17 campaign - and Lacazette’s arrival could be just what’s required to reinvigorate the mercurial midfielder.