Arsene Wenger finally granted the fans' wishes earlier this month when he splashed the big bucks on signing Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

The France international became the Gunners' most expensive signing in history in the £52 million deal, trumping what they had previously paid for Mesut Ozil and fans will be hoping that this time around, they have somebody who can consistently put the ball into the back of the net.

NEW STRIKER

You can't blame the Arsenal fans for being frustrated and letting their feelings be known on their striker crisis, and the Lucas Perez situation is one that speaks volumes, so it won't be a surprise to see him exit the club now that Lacazette will probably be one of the first names on the team sheet.

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Perez isn't the only one linked with an exit from the Emirates, with many speculating that Olivier Giroud's days in an Arsenal shirt could be numbered following his French compatriot joining him in North London.

Everton were just one of many clubs that were linked with him, but it's now been revealed that Lyon attempted to bring in Giroud as part of the deal which saw Lacazette go the other way.

However, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that Wenger blocked the move from happening and wouldn't sanction the deal to go ahead.

Instead, he's keeping him at the club to provide stiff competition for the new arrival.

APPROACH BLOCKED

Speaking to Le Progress, Aulas claimed: "I wanted to sign him.

"But Arsene Wenger would not sell him... We still have superb young attackers."

Lyon weren't the only ones who gave up either, as West Ham and Marseille both admitted defeat in the pursuit for Giroud.

It wouldn't have come as a huge surprise if Giroud was looking at a potential exit, as both Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck kept him out of the starting XI on a regular basis last season.

However, Wenger recently claimed that Giroud has welcomed the increased competition and is relishing a battle with Lacazette.

He said: "Giroud fancies the competition. As a manager, you have him on your back, wanting to play.

"He fights hard, you know. I like the way he responds to what’s happening. He is focused and determined and showed that on the [pre-season] tour."

While fans would probably hope Wenger sticks with Lacazette if he remains consistent with the goals, keeping somebody like Giroud around for serious competition could only be a positive.

Should Arsene Wenger have blocked Lyon from signing Olivier Giroud? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.

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