Former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette hits back at his critics | Football

The 31-year-old spent five years in north London following what was then a club-record £52million transfer.

Lacazette largely failed to justify that fee over the course of his spell in the Premier League and struggled in front of goal during what turned out to be his final season at Arsenal.

Following the shock exit of his great friend Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Lacazette led the line until the introduction of Eddie Nketiah, but scored just four goals and only once from open play.

The former France international’s contract expired last summer and made an emotional return to his boyhood club where he has flourished again to the tune of 24 goals in all competitions.

‘Many people thought I was finished,’ a defiant Lacazette told Telefoot when asked about his recent scoring streak. ‘

‘They were saying that I wouldn’t succeed. That the club was making a mistake (signing me).  

‘I wanted to show that Lyon were right in calling on me.’

Arsenal ultimately signed Gabriel Jesus as Lacazette’s replacement and the Brazil international has enjoyed an excellent debut season, spearheading the Gunners’ assault on the Premier League title.

Jesus returns to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening along with Oleksandr Zinchenko with Arsenal needing a positive result to keep their dreams alive.

‘Jesus and Zinchenko want to hurt City and show how big a mistake they made to let them leave, said Kolo Toure, who won the title as a player for both club.s ‘Jesus right now is looking at [Erling] Haaland and thinking, ‘They took this guy to play my position. He’s fantastic but I will show them I was really good as well and they made a mistake.’

‘Zinchenko the same: ‘OK, you didn’t rate me highly, you thought I was a squad player. I want to show you I have quality and I’m better than the players you have.’ They’re going to give every single thing to win.’

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