Arsenal: Alexandre Lacazette has ‘every right’ to answers

  • Alexandre Lacazette was a substitute for Arsenal in the game at Manchester City
  • The striker came off the bench to score and bring Arsenal back into the match
  • Alan Shearer believes starting with Alexis Sanchez sent the wrong message
  • Ian Wright says Lacazette will be very frustrated with his Arsenal career so far
  • Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal: Pep Guardiola’s side outgun rivals 

Alexandre Lacazette should be knocking on Arsene Wenger’s door and demanding an explanation as to why Alexis Sanchez started ahead of him against Manchester City, says Alan Shearer.

The France international became Arsenal’s record signing in the summer and is currently the club’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with six goals.

Regardless, Wenger preferred Sanchez as Arsenal’s lone striker at the Etihad Stadium and only introduced Lacazette once the team found themselves 2-0 down in the second half. 

Alexandre Lacazette came off the bench to score Arsenal’s only goal against Manchester City

The Frenchman played up front for 22 minutes before being pushed wide by Olivier Giroud

The Frenchman played up front for 22 minutes before being pushed wide by Olivier Giroud

It didn’t take long for him to find the back of the net and spark a potential comeback, but he was soon pushed out of position by the oncoming Olivier Giroud. 

With Sanchez almost certain to join Pep Guardiola’s side when his contract expires next summer, Shearer believes Wenger sent the wrong message to both Lacazette and the team by letting the Chilean start ahead of him.

Shearer told Match of the Day 2: ‘He left him out at Anfield, he left him out today against his rivals. You spend £50million (£52.6m) on a centre-forward and you think in those big games, he’s the one who has got to make the difference. 

Alexis Sanchez was allowed to start despite his well-known desire to join Manchester City

Alexis Sanchez was allowed to start despite his well-known desire to join Manchester City

Alan Shearer believes Lacazette has a right to know why he is not yet starting league games

Alan Shearer believes Lacazette has a right to know why he is not yet starting league games

‘He’s scored six league goals, double anyone else in that Arsenal team. Not only that, he’s actually played Sanchez, a guy who doesn’t want to commit himself to the football club, whereas he’s signed for £50m. 

‘What does that say not only to him, but to the rest of his team-mates? He’s got every right to go and knock on the manager’s door in the morning and say: “Do you not fancy me or something? Do you not want to play me?”.’

Adding to Shearer’s point, Ian Wright believes Lacazette will be frustrated with the way he is being treated in the early days of his Arsenal and will wonder exactly how he can earn Wenger’s trust.

Wright said: ‘He must be thinking what he has to do to get in this team, especially when he’s watching how poorly Sanchez is playing. It must be so frustrating for him.’

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