Wenger admits Lacazette is still getting used to Prem

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger admits Alexandre Lacazette is not yet ready to play a full 90 minutes for Arsenal.

Lacazette joined the Gunners for a club-record fee in the summer, and has scored two goals in five Premier League games so far.

The Frenchman played the full 90 minutes on his debut on the opening day against Leicester, but has not completed a full game since.

He was substituted after 66 minutes in the 0-0 draw against Chelsea, from which you should read 16 Conclusions, and Wenger says it was due to his struggle to “maintain that intensity”.

“I felt Lacazette had a very good first half, he worked hard for the team and was very disciplined,” Wenger said.

“It takes him some time to maintain that intensity for 90 minutes.

“Don’t forget I have [Theo] Walcott, [Olivier] Giroud and [Alexis] Sanchez on the bench. After 65 minutes in a game of that intensity it’s normal that you bring fresh legs on.

“Does he understand that? I never ask any striker to understand that he has to make room for someone else.

“You never can do that.”