Arsenal’s new signing Alexandre Lacazette says Francis Coquelin helped convince him to move to the North London club.
Lacazette, who joined Arsenal from Lyon this week, played with Coquelin in the France team that won the European Under-19 Championship in 2010 and they have kept in touch since then.
“We’ve had a lot of contact over the last few years and even more over the last few weeks, of course, since it became increasingly likely that I would come to Arsenal,” Lacazette told Arsenal’s official website.
“He has said only good things about Arsenal, which is not surprising because he wanted me to join the club. Even without that I still really wanted to come here.
“He stressed that it was a great club located in a fantastic city. He said I would not regret my decision to move here because of the people I’d be working with and, of course, the fans.”
Lacazette became Arsenal’s record signing in a deal that is reported to be worth more than £50 million with add-ons.
The striker is expected to lead the line for Arsene Wenger’s side next season, having netted at least 20 Ligue 1 goals in each of the last three campaigns for Lyon.
Coquelin joined Arsenal as a 17-year-old in 2008 from Stade Lavallois.
espn.co.uk
