'Goal in coming here was always to qualify for Champions League' says Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette

Alexandre Lacazette has revealed Arsenal's main aim for the 2017/18 season was to return to the Champions League and admitted the Gunners need a "miracle" if they have to win the title this term.

Arsene Wenger saw his side finish outside the top four for the first time during his tenure at the north London club. The Emirates club qualified for the Europa League after finishing fifth and have made it to the knockout stages of the Europe's second tier club competition.

West Ham United managed to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal as the Premier League clash on 13 December ended in a goalless draw. The Frenchman's side have failed to win in their last three league fixtures.

The Gunners are currently seventh in the table with 30 points after 17 games, one point behind fourth place Tottenham Hotspur and 19 points behind leaders Manchester City. Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon for a club-record fee in the summer.

He stressed that his "goal" in coming to England was help Wenger's side return to the Europe's elite club competition. The France international striker also explained the Arsenal manager's role in his decision to sign for the Premier League outfit.

"It would be really complicated to win it at this point. We would really need a miracle. City would need to lose a lot of their games and we know their record. But the goal in coming here was always to qualify for the Champions League and if we could get the title, fantastic," Lacazette explained, as quoted by ESPN.

"It was really the meeting with the coach that made me want to come here. It was something I had thought about since I was little,'' he said. "I had spoken about it a lot for many years with [Arsenal midfielder] Francis Coquelin but it was really all about that meeting with the coach.

"I benefit from his experience on a daily basis, especially his past and how he has worked with various strikers. We are always chatting about small things I can do to make little improvements. It will be a really nice record for him too.''

Arsenal can qualify for the next season's Champions League either by finishing in the top four or by winning the Europa League this term. Lacazette has started in 14 Premier League games so far this season. The 26-year-old has scored eight goals and registered an assist in 17 appearances in the league.