Mikel Arteta has left the door open for Alexandre Lacazette to remain at the club, praising the forward after Arsenal’s dramatic win against Wolves.
Alexandre Lacazette may have waited a long time for his moment, but he finally got it in the last gasp win over Wolves. Lacazette’s deflected injury-time winner in midweek could be defined as the moment of Arsenal’s season so far.
The Frenchman’s celebration after the goal and beyond the final whistle showed how passionate he was about the win and Arsenal. Unfortunately, the season’s most dramatic goal will go down as an own goal. But more importantly, the win boosted Arsenal’s chances of a top-four finish, as the club secured three valuable points against a difficult opponent and a direct rival for a top-four spot.
If Arsenal are to secure Champions League football, Lacazette’s involvement in it next season remains a big question. The Frenchman’s contract is up in the summer, and despite some urging the club to tie him down to a new deal, there have been no concrete movements on that front.
Mikel Arteta on Alexandre Lacazette contract: “He behaves like someone who wants to stay with us. We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season”. ⚪️? #AFC
“We don’t have contracts that run for 20 years, it’s our job. I can only praise him and try to help him”. pic.twitter.com/v9gIRTJyM1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 25, 2022
Recent reports suggested Arsenal will delay contract talks with the striker until the summer, just before his current deal expires. The Frenchman could certainly leave on a free transfer, as many clubs have expressed interest in securing him on a Bosman move.
However, Mikel Arteta has recently hinted at a possible stay for Lacazette. Speaking after the win against Wolves, Arteta said Lacazette “behaves like someone who wants to stay”, as he praised the striker for his contribution to the win.
Arteta was also quoted by the Guardian as saying, “We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season. We don’t have contracts that run for 20 years, it’s part of our job. He behaves like someone who wants to stay with us. I can only praise him and try to help him as much as possible. For me it’s Lacazette’s goal.”
It remains to be seen what Lacazette’s intentions are at the end of the current campaign. Reports suggest Arsenal may be willing to offer him a short-term deal, although he could get a longer contract elsewhere.
