Arsenal has made notable progress over the past few years in improving their on-field performances, internal restructuring, and a more active approach in the transfer market.
However, one area where the club still struggles is in maximizing the value of player sales. In today’s competitive football landscape, securing the best possible return on player transfers is crucial, yet Arsenal has often fallen short in this aspect.
A key example is the difficulty Arsenal has faced when parting with players like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, where the club did not extract the full value they could have. Similarly, Granit Xhaka was sold for less than many believed he was worth. One of the most notable examples of Arsenal’s challenges in this area is the departure of Alexandre Lacazette.
The French striker left Arsenal on a free transfer and returned to his former club, Lyon, where he has excelled. Lacazette, now 32, outperformed Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in terms of goals scored after leaving the club.
During his five years at Arsenal, Lacazette showed his abilities but never quite met expectations as a top-level striker. He was signed in 2017 for a then-club-record £47 million from Lyon. His first season in the Premier League was promising, with 14 goals in 26 starts, but that would end up being his best league campaign for Arsenal.
In total, Lacazette made 206 appearances for the club, scoring 71 goals and providing 36 assists, averaging 0.51 goals per game. While his early performances were strong, his form declined towards the end of his time at the club, leading to his departure in 2022.
Upon his return to Lyon, Lacazette thrived, scoring 31 goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances during the 2022/23 season, earning praise from former teammate Sokratis.
Despite Lacazette’s resurgence, Arsenal fans and management remain committed to Bukayo Saka, who has emerged as a key player. In the 2022/23 season, Saka scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists, and his contributions continue to grow.
Lacazette’s strong form after leaving raises questions about whether Arsenal was too quick to let him go. While his exit made sense given his declining form and the club’s shift in direction, his recent success illustrates the complexities of player sales in football, where selling at the right time can be just as important as buying.
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