Arsenal has made significant progress in various areas over the last few years, improving their performance on the pitch, restructuring behind the scenes, and becoming more active in the transfer market.
However, one major area where they continue to struggle is maximizing the value of player sales.
Despite their advancements, the club has not yet mastered the ability to sell players for their true worth, which is now a critical aspect of modern football.
Whether it’s been difficulty offloading aging stars like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or selling key players like Granit Xhaka for less than their market value, Arsenal’s challenges in this area are well-documented.
A glaring example of this issue is the case of Alexandre Lacazette’s departure.
The French striker left Arsenal on a free transfer a few seasons ago, only to later outshine one of Arsenal’s current stars, Bukayo Saka, in terms of goals scored.
Lacazette, now 32, returned to his former club Lyon and has been exceptional since his homecoming.
Before that, Lacazette spent five years at Arsenal, where his talent was evident, although he never quite lived up to the expectations as a prolific goal scorer.
Lacazette initially joined Arsenal in 2017 for a then-club-record fee of £47 million, coming from Lyon with high hopes.
His first season in the Premier League was promising, scoring 14 goals in 26 starts.
However, this would turn out to be his most successful league campaign at Arsenal.
Over his five-year stint, Lacazette made 206 appearances, scored 71 goals, and provided 36 assists, contributing to an average of 0.51 goals per game.
His best performances came early in his Arsenal career, but his goal-scoring form declined towards the end, resulting in his departure in 2022.
In June 2022, Lacazette rejoined Lyon, the club where he had first gained recognition.
While his exit from Arsenal wasn’t particularly controversial due to his struggles in his final season, his remarkable form during the 2022/23 campaign had many fans reconsidering Arsenal’s decision to let him leave.
That season, Lacazette scored 31 goals and provided six assists across 39 appearances for Lyon, earning him the nickname “goal machine” from former teammate Sokratis.
Even though his scoring rate has slowed slightly this season, Lacazette continues to perform at a high level, exceeding expectations.
In contrast, Bukayo Saka has emerged as Arsenal’s key player in recent seasons.
In the 2022/23 season, Saka scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists, and he’s already been involved in 24 goals this season.
While Lacazette’s recent scoring record may outshine Saka’s, most Arsenal fans and the club’s management would still prioritize having Saka in their squad.
His versatility, creativity, and potential make him a cornerstone of Arsenal’s future.
Lacazette’s resurgence at Lyon does prompt the question of whether Arsenal made the right decision in letting him go.
While it was logical for Mikel Arteta to move on from Lacazette at the time, considering his declining form and the club’s need for a new direction, Lacazette’s recent performances suggest he may have still had something to offer.
As Arsenal continues its search for a top-class striker, the decision to release Lacazette serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in player sales in modern football, where offloading talent can be just as important as acquiring it.