“He has scored 42 goals in just 59 games since leaving Arsenal. We regret selling him out carelessly because he’s now better than even our Bukayo Saka”- Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke expresses his frustration at Mikel Arteta for selling unreal “goal machine” who left Arsenal for £0M and is now outscoring Bukayo Saka

### The Arsenal “Goal Machine” Who Left for Free and Is Now Outscoring Saka

In recent years, Arsenal has seen significant improvement in almost every aspect of the club, from behind-the-scenes operations to on-pitch performance and competing for top players in the transfer market. However, one area where they continue to struggle is in the selling of players.

Arsenal has often faced challenges when it comes to offloading aging stars like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, or selling players for below their market value, such as Granit Xhaka. This aspect of modern football remains a hurdle for the club. A notable example of this issue is the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, a player who left on a free transfer and has since been outscoring Arsenal’s current star, Bukayo Saka.

#### Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal

French striker Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon for £47 million in 2017. During his time with the Gunners, he demonstrated his talent and skill, even if his goal-scoring record was not always prolific. In his debut season, Lacazette scored 14 goals in 26 Premier League starts, his best league tally for the club. Over five years, he made 206 appearances, scored 71 goals, and provided 36 assists, averaging 0.51 goal involvements per game.

Despite his contributions, Lacazette’s performance declined in his final season with Arsenal. This decline led to the decision not to renew his contract, and he returned to Lyon on a free transfer in June 2022. At the time, his departure did not cause much concern among fans, as his recent form had been underwhelming.

#### Lacazette’s Revival at Lyon

Since rejoining Lyon, Lacazette has experienced a remarkable resurgence. During the 2022/23 season, he made 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring 31 goals and providing six assists. His impressive performances earned him the nickname “goal machine,” a term used by his former teammate Sokratis.

This revival has led to questions among Arsenal fans about whether the club made the right decision in letting him go. Comparisons with Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s rising star, have become inevitable. Saka, who has been outstanding for Arsenal, managed 15 goals and 11 assists in the 2022/23 season and has already reached 24 goal involvements this season.

#### Reflecting on Arsenal’s Decision

While most fans and managers would still prefer to have the young and dynamic Saka in their squad, Lacazette’s prolific form at Lyon raises questions about Arsenal’s decision to release him. His experience and goal-scoring ability could have been valuable assets, especially considering the recent discussions about Arsenal’s need for a new number nine.

Ultimately, only manager Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal hierarchy know the full rationale behind Lacazette’s departure. However, with Lacazette’s impressive statistics since his return to France, it is natural for fans to wonder if Arsenal could have handled the situation differently. As the club continues to improve and compete at the highest levels, refining their approach to player sales will be crucial to their sustained success.