Alexandre Lacazette became Arsenal's record-signing when he joined for a fee of £52 million. This only happened once Wenger himself travelled to Paris for a secret meeting to convince the 26-year-old.
The Frenchman had already agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid, so what prompted Lacazette to choose Arsenal over Simeone's team? FIFA's transfer ban which prevented the Madrid club from making any signings until January.
A source close to Lacazette told The Sun: 'His move to Atletico was a done deal. It was the club where he wanted to go but the transfer embargo situation meant he couldn’t'.
'He wouldn’t have been able to play there until January and, in a season that ends with the World Cup in Russia, there was no way Alexandre could afford to not be at the highest level for half a season'.
'So Wenger struck quickly and raced over to Paris to meet him'. Lacazette finally chose Arsenal and Wenger secured his target after eleven years of following the striker. However, it was only recently he had decided to make a move for the France international.
'Wenger has been keeping a check on him but it’s only been in the last four months that he has been convinced he wants him at Arsenal'.
'The classic criticism was that he was not a great player in the great games, but during the past two years he has been quality in the big games, too'.
'His two goals against Ajax in the Europa League semi-final and one against Roma in the Champions League were a perfect example'.
The lack of Champions League football was not a problem for Lacazette, as the source pointed out: 'Playing in the Premier League is more important because it’s the biggest division in the world, watched by millions. The manager has told him there will be more investment into the team and Alexandre expects Arsenal to be in the Champions League next season'.