Alexandre Lacazette explains why he chose Arsenal and reveals what he thinks he will bring to the Gunners

The French international became the Gunners second summer signing on Wednesday, following the free transfer arrival of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke, penning a long-term deal

Thursday 06 July 2017 09:53 BST

Alexandre Lacazette wants to win titles with Arsenal (Getty)

Alexandre Lacazette has revealed he always dreamed of joining Arsenal and pledged to help them win titles after sealing his club-record move from Lyon.

The French international became the Gunners second summer signing on Wednesday, following the free transfer arrival of Sead Kolasinac from Schalke, penning a long-term deal at the Emirates.

The 26-year-old is expected to add some much-needed cutting edge after grabbing 37 goals in all competitions last term and upon putting pen to paper he explained what he thinks he will bring to the side.

How could Arsenal line up this season?

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1/12How could Arsenal line up this season?

How could Arsenal line up this season?

How could Arsenal line up next season?

How could Arsenal line up next season?

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

GK: Petr Cech

Cech may have been dropped for the FA Cup final, but the experienced shot-stopper is unlikely to lose his Premier League place anytime soon. The goalkeeper will turn 36 next season and yet he remains one of Arsenal’s best players.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

WB: Hector Bellerin

Struggled for form towards the end of last season but still one of the best full-backs in the country. Offers pace and power down the wing.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CB: Shkodran Mustafi

The German defender enjoyed a solid debut campaign in English football, making 37 appearances in all competitions for the club. Still only 25 and will improve next season, with a year of English football already under his belt.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CB: Laurent Koscielny

His poor discipline cost Arsenal in a couple of vital games, but he remains an important, influential player. There have been rumours Marseille have made Koscielny their top transfer target this summer, but it is highly unlikely Arsenal will sell.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CB: Rob Holding

After impressing with his maturity and composure in a back-three last season, there's every chance Arsene Wenger could place his faith in the youngster once again for the new campaign.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

WB: Sead Kolasinac

Arsenal’s first signing of the summer. A versatile 23-year-old defender, Kolasinac plays predominantly at left-back but expect Wenger to have him push on.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CDM: Granit Xhaka

Attracted a lot of criticism for his displays last season, but grew in confidence throughout the campaign and has the talent to become a vital player for Arsenal over the coming seasons. A superb distributor of the ball.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CM: Santi Cazorla

One of Arsenal's most technically-gifted players and the glue that keeps the side's midfield together. Doubts over his fitness and whether he's got another season left in him, but should he be firing on all cylinders Wenger will want to make full use of him.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

LCM: Mesut Ozil

Still negotiating a contract extension with the club. His performance levels dipped alarmingly last season, but when he is in form, he remains one of the finest passers of the ball in the world.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

RCM: Riyad Mahrez

Mahrez recently announced his intentions to leave Leicester this summer and Wenger refused to rule out a move for the Premier League champion. Mahrez would bring real flair to Arsenal's side, as well as the ability to make something out of nothing.

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How could Arsenal line up this season?

CF: Alexandre Lacazette

The instinctive centre-forward that Arsenal have longed for ever since Robin van Persie's departure. Industrious and physical, he'll bring a tough edge to Arsenal's front line.

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"I am of course delighted and very proud too because Arsenal is a legendary club. Throughout my childhood, thanks to Thierry Henry and other French players, I always dreamed of playing for this club so today that dream has been fulfilled," he told the club's official website.

"Arsenal is also the club which plays the best football in England, so I really wanted to come here."

Lacazette continued: "When I play I like to use my pace and to link up with my team-mates. As a forward of course I like to score goals, but that is not all that I am about. I love good flowing football where the whole team is engaged. First of all you need to have players behind you who pass the ball well, resulting in good goalscoring opportunities.

"I want to give 100% in every match. I want to show I am worthy of the shirt. I want to do everything I can to make sure we win titles."

 Lacazette has penned a long-term deal with the club  (Getty)

Gunners boss Wenger is in no doubt of what Lacazette can add to the squad.

"We are very happy to have Alexandre join our group. He has shown over a number of years that he can score goals and that he is a very efficient finisher. As well, he has very interesting technical qualities and a strong character," Wenger said on the club's official website.

Arsenal summer transfer targets

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1/6Arsenal summer transfer targets

Arsenal summer transfer targets

Thomas Lemar (Monaco)

Age: 21
Position: Left-wing
Likelihood: 5/10

After their eye-catching run to the semi-finals of the Champions League, Monaco are being gutted by European football’s elite. One of their many bright young things is Lemar, who would slot right into Alexis Sanchez’s left-sided role at Arsenal should the Chilean leave the Emirates this summer. The problem? Monaco are not selling, or at least not for Arsenal’s reported initial offer of £30.75m.

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Kylian Mbappé (Monaco)

Age: 18
Position: Left/right-wing
Likelihood: 3/10

Another Monaco player, Mbappé is one of the hottest properties in Europe and is perhaps a surprise inclusion on the list, with many expecting the teenager to move to Real Madrid, if anywhere, this summer. Arsène Wenger is said to have struck up something of an accord with the lightning quick winger’s family and harbours hopes of convincing Thierry Henry’s rightful heir that north London is the best place for his development.

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Age: 26
Position: Right-wing
Likelihood: 4/10

It is no secret that Wenger is a long-time admirer of Mahrez, whose stock has fallen somewhat following that remarkable title-winning campaign with Leicester City in 2015/16. While some of Europe’s top clubs were hovering around the Algerian this time last year, the coast is now relatively clear. The only worry is whether Mahrez can recreate the scintillating form he began to show two years ago.

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Jean Michaël Seri (Nice)

Age: 25
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 5/10

Seri was one of Nice’s stand-out players during their surprise challenge for the Ligue 1 title last term. If Santi Cazorla’s injury woes continue into the new season, the Cote d’Ivoire international could prove to be an ideal replacement, but his performances in the south of France have not gone unnoticed. Roma, Southampton, Tottenham and Leicester have all been keeping tabs on the midfielder.

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Mario Lemina (Juventus)

Age: 23
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 3/10

Gabon international Lemina is in search of regular playing time away from Turin, where he has struggled to establish himself in Max Allegri’s first-choice XI. “I want to play more,” he said in June. “I think it's right for me to play more, find a club capable of giving me more space. At 23 I want to show what I can do.” Could he find the minutes he needs in north London? At the moment, there seems to be little concrete about Arsenal’s reported ‘interest’.

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Arsenal summer transfer targets

Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow)

Age: 21
Position: Centre-midfield
Likelihood: 2/10

Another midfielder whose name has been bandied around in the gossip columns this summer, but with few solid leads for transfer-hungry supporters to pursue. Any deal for the talented CSKA Moscow academy graduate would likely involve him being loaned back to his current club, if indeed any such deal is likely at all.

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"He is a guy who is a great addition for us, and someone who will help us challenge at the top level this season."

Lacazette is expected to be part of the squad which heads to Australia and then China on tour this weekend, with a home debut likely in the Emirates Cup at the end of July.

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