Alexandre Lacazette has explained what it means to play alongside Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal - and how he is delighted to have settled into Arsenal so quickly.
The Frenchman, who joined the club from Lyon this summer in a deal worth £52million and has scored four goals in eight appearances, says he already feels he has a connection with the fans.
His performances have steadily improved and the 26-year-old has settled in well on and off the pitch.
“I’m enjoying it [here],” said the France international. “The Arsenal staff are excellent and they’ve helped me a lot. Also, the fact that there are quite a few French players in the club has made the transition much easier for me.
"On the pitch too, I feel a good connection with the fans, so overall I am very happy.'
Lacazette's last three seasons brought 88 goals for club and country and while few doubted his pedigree, there were concerns he would struggle to replicate that form in such a physically demanding league.
Asked about how he has adapted to the Premier League, he replied: “The main difference is that the game is a lot more physical. The pace of the game is also very different.
"I now really understand what it means to play box-to-box.
“Things can move so fast that you don’t have time to catch your breath or think about the next move. As I said, though, the main difference is that the game is much more physical.”
Regardless of the challenges of life in England, Lacazette is please he made the step up, especially as it means he gets to train with players like Alexis Sanchez.
“That’s also one of the reasons why I wanted to come to Arsenal - to play with players of [Sanchez’s] calibre,” Lacazette told Arsenal Player. “Just seeing him in training, I like the way he plays and his mental attitude. His approach makes me want to play alongside him - hopefully for many years.”