Arsenal News: Alexandre Lacazette to stay? Mikel Arteta drops a hint on the captain’s future

Arsenal News: The Gunners supporters are currently unsure about the future plans of Alexandre Lacazette. But Mikel Arteta has now confirmed that Arsenal could be giving him a new contract.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was named as the Arsenal captain before the start of the 2021/22 season. But the Gabon-based striker left the club in January following a standoff with Mikel Arteta. 

Following Aubameyang’s departure, Mikel Arteta handed the captain’s armband to Alexandre Lacazette. It has been in the possession of the French forward since. 

The striker’s captaincy role initially looked to be temporary. Alexandre Lacazette’s contract ends in the summer. Owing to this it was expected that he would be leaving the club. But Mikel Arteta and Arsenal seem to have taken a U-turn as per reports. 

Arsenal News: Will Alexandre Lacazette stay at the club?

Read More: Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Mikel Arteta as their next possible manager

As per the Mirror, Alexandre Lacazette could be staying with Arsenal next season as well. The Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta has given a clear hint about the Frenchman’s future at the club. 

Lacazette has taken up an important role in the Arsenal dressing room following the departure of Aubameyang. To add to this, the striker is also starting regularly for the Gunners. 

Talking about Lacazette, Mikel Arteta said, “I think with Alex it’s clear what he brings to the team. He has shown it consistently since I’ve been here. We have to resolve the contractual timing, in the best possible way, and when we all align on the same page.”

Hence Mikel Arteta gave a clear indication that he wants Alexandre Lacazette to stay at the club. With the striker taking up a leader’s role in the dressing room, it won’t be a surprise if he is given an extension. 

The Frenchman signed for the Gunners in July 2017. Since then, Lacazette has scored 71 goals in 197 appearances for Arsenal. The striker has scored 4 goals and provided 7 assists in the 2021/22 Premier League season so far. 

With a top-four finish a possibility, Alexandre Lacazette, and his teammates could create history. This could be the first time that Arsenal reach the Champions League since the departure of legendary manager Arsene Wenger. 

Read More: Has Martin Odegaard been made the unofficial captain by Mikel Arteta?

Will Lacazette get playing time next season?

Arsenal is reportedly looking to sign a host of attackers in the summer. The Gunners wanted to sign Dusan Vlahovic in January. But the Serbian snubbed the North London club, instead of moving to Juventus. 

The Gunners are linked with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins among others. Hence it has to be seen if Alexandre Lacazette would be given a starter’s role if he does decide to extend his contract with the club.