Matt Oldfield - Lacazette (Ultimate Football Heroes--the No. 1 football series): Collect them all!

First published in the UK in 2020 by Dino Books,

an imprint of Bonnier Books UK,

The Plaza, 535 Kings Road, London SW10 0SZ

@dinobooks

@footieheroesbks

www.heroesfootball.com

www.bonnierbooks.co.uk

Text Matt Oldfield 2020

All rights reserved.

Paperback ISBN 9781789462449

Ebook ISBN 9781789462456

Design by www.envydesign.co.uk

A CIP catalogue for this book is available from the British Library

Matt Oldfield delivers sports writing workshops in schools,
and is the author of Unbelievable Football and Johnny Ball:
Accidental Football Genius. Tom Oldfield is a freelance sports
writer and the author of biographies on Cristiano Ronaldo,
Arsne Wenger and Rafael Nadal.

Cover illustration by Dan Leydon

To learn more about Dan visit danleydon.com

To purchase his artwork visit etsy.com/shop/footynews

Or just follow him on Twitter @danleydon

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First of all, Id like to thank Bonnier Books UK and particularly my editor Laura Pollard for supporting me throughout and running the ever-expanding UFH ship so smoothly. Writing stories for the next generation of football fans is both an honour and a pleasure.

I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt for my brother Tom. I owe him so much and Im very grateful for his belief in me as an author. I feel like Robin setting out on a solo career after a great partnership with Batman. I hope I do him (Tom, not Batman) justice with these new books.

Next up, I want to thank my friends for keeping me sane during long hours in front of the laptop. Pang, Will, Mills, Doug, John, Charlie the laughs and the cups of coffee are always appreciated.

Ive already thanked my brother but Im also very grateful to the rest of my family, especially Melissa, Noah and of course Mum and Dad. To my parents, I owe my biggest passions: football and books. Theyre a real inspiration for everything I do.

Finally, I couldnt have done this without Ionas encouragement and understanding during long, work-filled weekends. Much love to you.

2 December 2018, Emirates Stadium

At half-time in the North London derby, things didnt look good for Arsenal. Their local rivals Tottenham were winning 21 and they werent even playing that well.

Something had to change. Time for an Arsenal super sub, perhaps? Thats what Alex was hoping as his teammates trudged into the dressing room. Because despite his exciting strike partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, he was sat on the bench again.

Arsenals manager Unai Emery had decided not to start the two of them together in such a tough derby match, but Arsenal were losing they needed Auba and Laca out there in attack!

Thankfully, by half-time, Emery had changed his mind. Alex and Aaron, he called out. Get ready, youre coming on.

Alexs eyes lit up he would have the full second half to save the day! Although he much preferred playing from the start, he had a great record as a super sub first in the France national youth teams when he was younger, and then at Arsenal. With his pace, power and skill, Alex could cause problems for any defence.

Plus, he loved big games, and derbies in particular. One of his favourite football memories was scoring a hat-trick for his hometown club Lyon against their local rivals, Saint-tienne. Now, he had the chance to be Arsenals derby hero too.

In the tunnel, Alex pulled his socks up and put his gloves on. Then he looked over at Pierre-Emerick.

Lets win this! he said with a very serious look on his face.

As Auba and Laca walked out together for the second half, the atmosphere in the stadium changed. Suddenly, the Arsenal supporters were hopeful again.

Come on, You Gunners!

Five minutes later, Aaron Ramsey raced forward from midfield and slipped the ball across to Pierre-Emerick, who curled a first-time shot into the back of the net.

Now Arsenal were level: 22 game on! Arsenal attacked again and again, hunting for a winning goal. Sokratis missed a good chance, then Shkodran Mustafi, then Lucas Torreira. Oh dear was the North London derby going to end in a disappointing draw?

No way, not while Alex was around! He tricked his way past Jan Vertonghen on the right wing and delivered a great cross towards Pierre-Emerick. It looked like a certain goal, but Juan Foyth got back just in time to head it away. Unlucky! Arsenal were getting closer and closer.

With fifteen minutes left, Aaron spotted Alexs run and played the perfect through-ball. On the edge of the penalty area, Alex paused to think. He had two defenders in front of him, and no-one to pass to. Oh well, he would just have to...

Shoot! the Arsenal fans urged. They knew how lethal their star striker could be.

BANG! Even though Alex struck it with his weaker left foot and slipped at the last second, his shooting accuracy was amazing. The ball skidded across the grass, past his old Lyon teammate Hugo Lloris, and into the bottom corner. 32!

Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Emirates Stadium exploded with noise and excitement. On the touchline, Emery threw his arms up in the air what a double substitution! Alex was usually a calm, quiet character, but not after scoring such an important goal. He sprinted away from his teammates and then slid towards the corner flag on his knees.

Pierre-Emerick was the first to catch up with him. Laca, I love you, man! he screamed in Alexs ear.

As they got back up, they did their special handshake together. With one arm behind their backs, they bowed at each other and then shook hands like old-fashioned gentlemen.

Well done, sir!

Alex had just saved the day for Arsenal in the North London derby. It was another unforgettable night for Lyons favourite son.

Rose Lacazette loved her young family dearly, but she did enjoy the moments of peace and quiet when her four lively sons were outside playing their favourite sport football.

Pass it!

Hey, thats a foul!

What a goal!

From their apartment on the thirteenth floor, Rose could still hear every loud kick and cry as the local kids battled below.

Theyre football crazy, the lot of them! she laughed to herself.

But at least her boys werent out causing trouble in the centre of Lyon, the big, bustling city in the east of France where the Lacazettes lived. And they werent fighting over the TV remote control at home either. No, she knew exactly where they were, and if she needed them, all she had to do was shout! Plus, hopefully, they would be nice and tired by the time they came back for dinner and then bed.

Hopefully. Every now and then, Rose went over to the window to keep an eye on her sons, and her youngest son in particular Alexandre. He was still only five years old, but he was determined to do everything that his three older brothers did, especially when it came to football.

Dont worry, Mum well look after him! Benot promised as the four of them rushed downstairs after quickly dropping off their school bags.

But that didnt stop Rose from worrying. Alex was still very small, and he was shy too. What if he couldnt stand up for himself? She didnt want him to get hurt playing with bigger, stronger boys.