Alexandre Lacazette is the new Ian Wright, says former Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier

The Frenchman underwent his medical on Tuesday afternoon and is set to be unveiled as an Arsenal player in due course

Samuel Lovett
Wednesday 05 July 2017 08:41 EDT
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Alexandre Lacazette has a total of 100 league goals from 203 appearances for Lyon
Alexandre Lacazette has a total of 100 league goals from 203 appearances for Lyon (Getty)

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Gerard Houllier has compared Alexandre Lacazette to former Arsenal player Ian Wright, adding that the “mobile” Frenchman has the ability to “fit in” with Arsene Wenger’s style of play at the Emirates.

Lacazette underwent his medical on Tuesday afternoon and is set to be unveiled as an Arsenal player in due course.

Arsenal’s initial approaches for Lacazette fell short of Lyon’s asking price and were subsequently rebuffed, but it’s understood the Premier League club eventually agreed to settle upon a £52m transfer fee for the forward.

Houllier has been advising Lyon in negotiations with Arsenal over Lacazette and has backed the 26-year-old to deliver at the club, comparing him to former player Wright.

"He is very mobile, very quick, good in short spaces, has good skill and he scores goals," Houllier told talkSPORT.

"He was the top scorer in France in 2014-15, the best player in the league in 2015 and has been the best French scorer over the last three seasons.

"He scores more than 25 goals every season. One thing he will bring to Arsenal is goals. His main asset is to score goals.

"He has good technique, is good at using short spaces and is a hard-working player. He can attack, he can defend quickly. I'm not surprised Arsene fancied him.

"He will fit in their game. He will suit their passing game, the way they build up, their approach. He is very good near the box.

"He is a bit like Ian Wright really. You don't seem to see him and then suddenly he moves."

Houllier also suggested that Arsenal were getting better value for their money than Manchester United in their expected £78m deal for Alvaro Morata.

He added: "When you think Anthony Martial cost €80m Morata is about to cost €90m... Morata hasn't scored as many goals as Lacazette.

"Morata has played 130 games and scored only 47 goals."

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