Alexandre Lacazette has spoken of his happiness at Arsenal after being assured that the Gunners had no intentions of selling him in the summer transfer window.
Lacazette moved from Lyon to Arsenal ahead of the 2017-18 season for a then-club record transfer fee, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's arrival the following January appeared to threaten the French striker's role at the club.
The fact that Arsene Wenger broke Lacazette's record fee to sign another forward just six months afterwards suggested that the striker's days were numbered in north London, though Unai Emery's arrival has afforded Lacazette a new lease of life in the Premier League.
Aubameyang has increasingly been deployed on the left of Arsenal's attack with Lacazette in a central role, and the partnership is paying dividends as the Gunners sit fifth in the table.
Lacazette has hit five League goals so far this term to earn an international recall for France for the November international break, though the 27-year-old had to pull out of the squad due to a slight groin injury.
Speaking to Arsenal's website during the break, Lacazette feels relieved after the club made it clear that he would be part of Emery's plans this season - and he is ready to keep on firing to repay that faith.
"When first I think of Arsenal, it was when Titi Henry played for Arsenal and scored goals," he said. "Now I'm there so I want to make the fans happy.
"I signed for Lyon at 10. At seven they wanted me to sign but my dad said, 'it's too early, you need to learn with your friends and just have fun'.
"I needed the next step. A few years ago I talked with Arsenal but it was not a good time.
"When they came I was so happy and the discussion with Arsenal and the club was so quick, and with me it was so quick.
"I'm happy because I know now the league, I know my players, my teammates.
"The club is happy because this summer they didn't want to sell me; they told me 'we are happy to have you in the team'."
