Van Persie criticises Lacazette despite Arsenal winner

Gunners legend Robin van Persie criticised Alexandre Lacazette for failing to put Arsenal in total control of their Europa League round of 32 tie.

The French striker scored the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Olympiacos on Thursday night.

Bukayo Saka was again the provider with an exquisite pass for Lacazette’s strike, the youngster’s eighth assist of the season, but the visitors will be disappointed after missing an opportunity to go further ahead.

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found Lacazette on the edge of the box whose first touch badly let him down.

He did manage to get a shot away but it was directed straight at Jose Sa in the Olympiacos goal who nudged the ball behind.

And Van Persie felt Lacazette should have done better with the late chance.

“They should have [extended their lead] in the end. The last 15 minutes were really good and they created three or four really good chances,” the ex-Arsenal forward said on BT Sport.

“This is a nice counter-attack [leading up to Lacazette’s chance] but this is what I want to talk about. This is not world-class, this particular action.

“His body movement is too close, it’s too much towards the ball. His body should be more open so he can have that slight touch, similar to the one [Erling] Haaland had against PSG, sliding it through so you only need one touch.

“Lacazette needs two touches to get a shot in. He does well with the second touch but he needs an extra second. He knows what I mean.

“With the first touch he should put it at an angle where he only needs two or maximum three steps to have a clear shot. He didn’t do it there.’

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown added: “That’s why the first touch is everything. ‘Concentrate on your first touch and then everything takes care of itself after that because it sets you up. ‘But he’s done well actually with his second touch to get it away.”

Van Persie replied: “Yeah, but he should have done better.”

 

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