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Mikel Arteta has praised Alexandre Lacazette for ending his sterile streak after scoring against Rapid Vienna, with the Frenchman content to start with Arsenal against Tottenham on Sunday.
Lacazette was not a starter in the Gunners’ previous two Premier League games following a 67-day goal drought, but he did score an excellent goal in the first half to help Arteta’s side overcome their Austrian rival in the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
The 28-year-old, who celebrated his goal in front of the 2,000 who were able to enter the stadium for the first time since March, has been used in a deeper role this season and spoke after the game about the relief he felt for finally. Punctuation.
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“Everyone expected to come back. It was really good. The fans are behind us,” he told BT Sport.
“It has not been easy for me these last few weeks, but seeing the fans behind me and behind the team is very nice, so I really enjoyed myself and thank you for them tonight.
“Tonight we wanted to enjoy ourselves, make it a fifth win in a row and we did it. Now we are focused for the derby at the weekend. We need to rest and let the coach decide.”
Lacazette impressed with his crisp passing and constant movement with the ball, with Arteta speaking after the match to reveal what the former Lyon striker has been lacking in the game in recent weeks.
“You use the key word that is trust,” Arteta said before the North London derby.
“Every footballer needs confidence. Confidence is built when you have the opportunity to play, when you play well, forwards need goals and that’s the greatest form of confidence they can find, nothing more.”
“After that, he gave those moments and I’m delighted that he scored a fantastic goal tonight and contributed to the team.”
Arsenal’s win over Rapid Vienna saw them play in front of the fans for the first time in nine months, as Sunday’s North London derby will be attended by 2,000 Tottenham fans.
The Asturian says his team has the confidence and faith to win the match and said the Gunners are going to ‘go there and try to win’, while insisting that he would rather play in a stadium with rival fans than have it empty.
“Yes, but we have been waiting for this moment for a long time and now we are not going to complain. I prefer to play in a stadium with an atmosphere with some fans.
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“Right now it’s going to be them with their fans and next week they’ll be with us and we want to bring in more fans when it’s safe. It makes sense when you also have to handle this situation. The fans push when you have them push you, giving you that energy is the beauty of our profession and we can share that with them.
“We are going to go there and try to win. This is the only way that we are going to prepare any game and do any terrain. And have the confidence and conviction that we can go there and win the football game.”
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