Alex Lacazette says suggestions that he isn’t happy at Arsenal is pure media speculation and that he’ll do his best to help the Gunners challenge for a top four finish.
Mikel Arteta’s side made a winning start to the new campaign with the Frenchman opening the scoring in a 3-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
After the game, Laca faced the BT Sport cameras. Here’s what he had to say…
"He wants us to be perfect, we have respect for what he wants."
"It's only the press that say I'm not happy, I'm really happy at Arsenal."
Alex Lacazette opened the goalscoring this afternoon and spoke to @TheDesKelly at full-time. pic.twitter.com/wtI2vL4tHz
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 12, 2020
On a positive performance…
It’s the best way to start the season. We wanted to win today and defensively have a clean sheet. Offensively, we did some good stuff and we respected what the coach wanted. Everyone is happy today.
On Arteta directing things from the sidelines…
Yeah, he wants us to be perfect. We work a lot in the week for this kind of game because we know it’s really important for the season. We have respect for what he wants.
On needing to score because of the competition for places…
Yes, as well for the team, for the club. We have a lot of big ambitions. We know we need to score a lot of goals this season, so I want to help the team to be on top, it’s my job. It’s not just on me to play and do the link-up, so I do my best.
On speculation about his future…
Yeah, I’m really happy. It’s only the press who say I’m not happy and want to leave. Me, from the beginning, I’m happy with Arsenal. I want to play and win titles like last month. I’m happy with Arsenal.
On being more aggressive without the ball…
We want to be aggressive with and without the ball, we just want to improve on every aspect of the game. This is what we’re working on every day, to be better.
On being ready to challenge for the top four….
I don’t know if we’re ready, but we want to and we try to. Every day, we work a lot to contend for a place in the top four.
His performance was fine today. If we get 40+ millions then we might think of selling him and invest in MF but if Arteta like him and Laca in his plan then keep him. He is fantastic guy and have good chemistry with team
We have to hold on to him at all costs. I know we’re slightly short in the middle but if we keep Laca, Niles and Hector, Arteta will be able to achieve something extraordinary from this team.
Also Auba, Please Sign Da Thang!!!
Non of this crop of players wants to leave Arsenal, that tells you more about the motivation of the team
Top post, well said.
We have an overloaded midfield i think.
Disagree.
We’re only a few injuries/suspensions away from being short in each position. Even our battalion of centre halves are being put to the test.
I would make that £60m at least.
Remember, you’re looking to get in a decent replacement and have cash left over for the Kroenke Midfielder Appeal.
Yeah, I know it’s not going to happen. ?
If he goes we have to replace him. Eddie is too raw and imo he needs to seriously bulk up a little.But we had 11 senior players outside the playing 17. We need to sell asap.
Everyone says it so thats probably what should be done but I actually wouldn’t replace him if he goes it will be late in the win probably October and we could perhaps start negotiating for a replacement (odsonne) while playing Eddie to aid his development . With the mixture of players at our disposal I think we could cope Martinelli will be coming back as well. I’d buy a top creative CM instead if it’s either or.
Another one content with selling our better players.
Fortunately Arteta and Edu are in charge of the transfers. Not you.
Can’t argue with any of that. Good man Laca
We finally get to see Laca doing his thing in and around the penalty box and it’s just so clear what a quality player he is. Could have easily had a another couple of goals today.
I’d be tempted to keep BOTH main strikers. They have a good relationship. If we sell Martinez(20m) then Torreira (20m), Kola (10m) we would have generated 50m. We will still be light as we have spent 24m on Magalahes and 20m on Pepe/Saliba committed each window. But we would have made up enough ground to consider sufficient risk to go into red a little with say Aouar at 45m proviso a couple more generate income if not at later date (due to recoveries) in Mustafi and either of (likely) Chambers or Holding (could be an added 15m) Meanwhile should Laca… Read more »
He has a better touch and is more combative than Auba as CF. Nketiah will need to work up so I would be hesitant to lose Laca without replacement. Martinelli is another potential but at the moment he seems better suited to replicatng Auba running in from left with space particularly as we should leverage on the mobility of these players. So of the two, if we lose Auba, I feel we have ready replacements in Saka and the equally impressive Martinelli (Willian or an Aouar can also shuffle wide left to cover) Where as if we lose Laca we… Read more »
I reckon we’ll overspend on Partey this window, loan a few players out and then balance the books by selling Laca in the new year when Martinelli is fit and Eddie’s had some game time. There’s no way we’re renewing Laca. So we can’t push the sale back much longer, even though I love the guy.
Overspending? Arsenal? ?
I still feel Laca has more in him than he showed today. His hold up play used to be so much crisper. If we can get him back to the Lacazette from his first season we can definitely make top four with our new found steel at the back.
I am happy that Laca is happy.
In an ideal world, you’d keep him. But if we need to raise money, then he would be one we could get some proper moolah for.
And if Auba picks up a long term injury after we’ve sold Laca….?
Eddie’s going to do it all, is he? ?
If we can get 35M+ for him? We should sell. This is not the time for sentiment.
No, it’s a time for plenty of sentiment and plenty of goals.