When Alexandre Lacazette steps out onto the pitch for Arsenal at Selhurst Park, it will be hard not to think about his role in the Gunners’ last Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace.
Back in October, the former Lyon frontman had less than an hour of league football under his belt all season when he replaced Martin Odegaard at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side hadn’t been at their best, looking fallible once more after launching a mini-recovery from their losing streak at the start of the campaign, and things got even worse when Odsonne Edouard put Palace in front.
At the time, Lacazette’s introduction felt like a decision borne more out of hope than expectation. However, since delivering an equalising goal deep into stoppage time, he has rebuilt his reputation in north London in a way which hadn’t always looked possible.
