Mikel Arteta has praised Alexandre Lacazette for ending his barren run after scoring against Rapid Vienna, with the Frenchman in contention to start for Arsenal against Tottenham on Sunday.
Lacazette didn’t start in the Gunners’ previous two Premier League matches following a goal drought which lasted 67 days, but he netted an excellent first half strike to help Arteta’s side overcome their Austrian opposition at Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
The 28-year-old, who celebrated his goal in front of the 2,000 who were allowed inside the stadium for the first time since March, has been utilised in a deeper role this season and spoke after the game about the relief he felt to finally score.
“Everyone looked forward to coming back. It was really good. The fans are behind us,” he told BT Sport.
![[FILE] Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (L) runs with the ball as Arsenal’s Brazilian defender Gabriel closes in during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_97B779-scaled-e1703231851386-120x86.jpg "Liverpool host Arsenal in battle for Premier League Christmas No. 1 2")
“It was not easy for me for these last couple of weeks but to see the fans behind me and behind the team is really nice, so I really enjoyed and thanks for them tonight.
“Tonight we wanted to enjoy, to make it a fifth win in a row and we did it. Now we are focusing for the derby on the weekend. We need to rest and let the coach decide.”
Lacazette impressed with his crisp passing and constant movement on the ball, with Arteta speaking after the game to reveal what has been missing from the former Lyon striker’s game in recent weeks.
“You use the key word which is confidence,” said Arteta ahead of the north London derby match.
“Every football player needs confidence. Confidence is built when you have the chance to play, when you perform well strikers need goals and that’s the biggest form of confidence they can find, nothing else.
“After that he gave those moments and I’m delighted he scored a fantastic goal tonight and contributed to the team.”
Arsenal’s win over Rapid Vienna saw them play in front of fans for the first time in nine months, as Sunday’s north London derby is set to be attended by 2,000 Tottenham supporters.
The Spaniard says his team have the confidence and belief to win the game and affirmed that 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 having it empty.
“Yeah, but we’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time now we’re not going to complain. I’d rather play in a stadium with an atmosphere with some fans.
“This moment it’s going to be them with their supporters and next week it will be with us and we want to bring more fans when it is safe. It makes sense when you have to handle this situation as well. Fans pressure when you have them pushing you, giving you that energy is the beauty of our profession and we can share that with them.
“We’re going to go there and try to win. This is the only way we’re going to prepare any game and make any ground. And have the confidence and belief that we can go there and win the football match.”
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