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Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette earns long-awaited France call-up

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The forward last played for his country in November 2017 (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette has earned a long-awaited return to the France national team after a year out of the squad.

The Frenchman last played for Les Bleus in November 2017, when he scored a brace in a friendly against Germany, though he was rather surprisingly left out of subsequent squads – including the side that won the World Cup in Russia.

He was also omitted from Didier Deschamps latest squad against the Netherlands and Uruguay, but injury to Anthony Martial sees Lacazette finally make his return.

France's forward Anthony Martial arrives in Clairefontaine en Yvelines on November 12, 2018, as part of the team's preparation for the Nations League football match against Netherlands and a friendly football against Uruguay. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images — Martial was sent home after reporting for national team duty (Picture: Getty)

After starting the first three Premier League matches of the season on the bench, the 27-year-old has become a mainstay in the Arsenal starting XI, netting five times and laying on three assists.

Deschamps has been happy with Lacazettes return to form though initially favoured Martial – though the Manchester United star was not passed fit by Frances doctors upon reporting to Clairefontaine.

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Speaking about Lacazette in October, Deschamps said: It is true that he is having a good early season where he is efficient and effective.

There is competition in this position and for the moment the players I selected for the World Cup, I continue to rely on them.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Liverpool - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - November 3, 2018 Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. — Lacazette has enjoyed an excellent season so far for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

It is not a question of profile, but I am not going to pick multiple players in the same position. It is also necessary to have a balanced squad and he is a central attacker.

This does not take away the credit for what he does. He must continue.