Arsenal’s “World-Class” Striker Left for £0 – Now He’s Outperforming Viktor Gyökeres
When Arsenal allowed Alexandre Lacazette to leave the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, few expected the Frenchman to rediscover his best form. After five seasons in North London, where his output had started to decline, it seemed like the right time to part ways. However, Lacazette’s resurgence since returning to Olympique Lyonnais has been remarkable—so much so that he is now outperforming top-tier strikers across Europe, including one of Arsenal’s most coveted current targets: Viktor Gyökeres.
Lacazette left Arsenal at the end of his contract, a decision that, in hindsight, might have come too soon. The 32-year-old rejoined Lyon, the club he had originally left to join the Gunners in 2017. Since his return to Ligue 1, Lacazette has reignited his career in stunning fashion. In the 2022/23 season alone, he scored 31 goals in all competitions—his most prolific campaign to date. Over the course of his first two seasons back in France, he has notched 42 goals in 59 appearances, a goal ratio that places him among Europe’s elite finishers.
By contrast, Arsenal have spent much of the past year searching for a clinical, all-around striker to lead their front line. Gabriel Jesus has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, while Eddie Nketiah has not fully convinced at the highest level. This search has led Arsenal to Viktor Gyökeres, the Sporting CP striker who lit up the Primeira Liga with 29 goals in his debut season and is now being linked with a big-money move to the Premier League.
While Gyökeres is undeniably a top prospect with a powerful presence and excellent movement, the comparisons with Lacazette’s current form are striking. Lacazette is not only scoring at a higher rate but also contributing heavily to Lyon’s build-up play—an aspect of his game that had once made him so valuable to Mikel Arteta’s system. The fact that Arsenal are now preparing to spend upwards of £85 million on a striker while one of their own former players is thriving elsewhere has sparked questions among fans and pundits alike.
Of course, age plays a factor. Lacazette is now in his 30s, while Gyökeres is still only 27 and entering his prime. Arsenal’s decision to build for the future rather than holding onto an aging star makes sense from a long-term planning perspective. But the timing of Lacazette’s departure, coupled with his explosive form since leaving, suggests the club may have underestimated what he still had to offer.
Ultimately, Lacazette’s revival is a reminder that player form is rarely linear. His resurgence at Lyon proves he was far from finished when he left the Emirates. For Arsenal, the focus remains on the future—but they may look back and wonder what could have been had they held onto a striker who, now more than ever, looks world-class.