Robert Pires has a stern warning for Alexandre Lacazette, who joined the club for a record fee of £52 million from French outfit Olympique Lyonnais.
This blockbuster signing surpasses the previous £42 million spent on Mesut Ozil and is the calibre of striker that fans have been crying out for.
More importantly, it signals ambition from Arsene Wenger as the legendary manager enters the final years of his career, hoping to finish with a trophy-laden flourish.
All the signs are good, but Arsenal and France icon Pires warns Lacazette of the difficulties in coming to the Premier League. The World Cup and European Championships winner told the Mail Online:
He is a good striker who has scored a lot of goals with Lyon. Of course, it will be very difficult in the beginning because when you play in France and move to England it is not the same, it is very aggressive.
It was very tough, for me it was the aggression and intensity. For me, because I came from France, it was heavy and that is why it is difficult in the Premier League.
Pires made represented Arsenal on 284 occasions, scoring 84 goals. He is remembered an exceptional player for the club and one that symbolises the success under Wenger, winning the Premier League and FA Cup twice each during his time there. But even he said it can take time:
To make the adaption, to find the rhythm and the tempo, for me it took six or seven months.If you play in France, Spain or Italy it is not the same football, especially when you play in England. Every game is very difficult. Maybe he will need time for the adaptation but everyone around him is very important, especially the French connection.
