Alexandre Lacazette set to leave Arsenal and re-join Lyon

Lacazette joined

from Lyon in 2017 for a club-record sum of £46.5 million, surpassing the £42.4 million spent for Mezut Ozil in 2013.

The 31-year-old will depart the Emirates Stadium with a single FA Cup, subject to confirmation, after a dismal spell at the club.

The France international was expected to assist then-manager Arsene Wenger to drive his team back into the big time after a breakout season with his childhood club, becoming Ligue 1 top scorer and earning Player of the Year in 2014/15. 

He had an immediate impact at the club, striking in his

debut, a 4-3 win against Leicester City, only 94 seconds after arriving, and then scored in his following two home games. Injury setbacks soon delayed the rapid start, and the Premier League's lackluster time came to an end.

Lacazette had his greatest season in an Arsenal jersey in 2018/19, when he was awarded Supporters' Player of the Season after scoring 13 Premier League goals, one less than in his rookie season.

Goals did not come as easily in his last season, with only 4 goals and 7 assists to his credit. 

The latter exemplifies the player Lacazette has evolved into, with the creative components of his game becoming increasingly important.

Lacazette became the most senior member of a youthful changing room after club skipper and striking partner Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left in January, and he was granted the armband after the turn of the year.

He lost his starting spot to youngster Eddie Nketiah, who was more potent in front of goal than his older colleague, due to his failure to rise to the challenge.

Missing out on

football while being the center of his team's difficulties was a cruel finish to an uneventful but honest and hard-working Arsenal career. 

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