Arsenal should turn to this Chelsea striker to replace Lacazette this summer

FT Desk
FT Desk
  • 22 Mar 2022 21:32 GMT
  • 7 min read
Is Alexandre Lacazette set to sign a contract extension with Arsenal?
© ProShots

On recent form, Arsenal are the third best team in the Premier League right now and on course to bag a top four finish in the league before the end of the season.

For Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff, that’s wonderful news but it may also lead to a bit of a conundrum when the summer transfer window rolls around.

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As things currently stand, star striker and integral player to Arsenal’s attack, Alexandre Lacazette, is set to depart the club at the end of the season when his contract comes to an end.

As such, the London club will have to do their homework and make sure they can find a suitable replacement to the French striker, if he or the club aren’t willing to sign a new contract extension.

However, while strikers are a costly commodity in today’s game, there may be a relatively cheap and ingenious option waiting for Arsenal just across the English capital. And he may well be for sale too.

Why Werner would be an ideal Lacazette replacement

Indeed, one player that could be available for Arsenal this summer and a similar style of forward to Lacazette is none other than Chelsea striker Timo Werner.

Although Werner hasn’t exactly been a talisman for Chelsea since he arrived in English football, he has still managed to pick up 19 goals and 19 assists in 80 games for the club.

That’s an average of 0.64 goals or assists per 90 minutes for the Stamford Bridge club, which isn’t too bad when you consider that Lacazette’s own average for Arsenal stands at 0.74 goals and assists per 90.

Not only that, but Werner is also a similar type of player to the Frenchman, in the sense that he thrives when offered the chance to play off attacking midfielders and to play as a mobile striker in the box.

Add to that the fact that the Germany international would likely be for sale at a cut-down price and is still only 26 years of age and Werner suddenly becomes a relatively safe, risk-free option for Arteta’s squad this summer.

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