We reckon Mikel Arteta has been asked about Alex Lacazette’s contract situation in every press conference for the last three months and, without fail, the Spaniard has provided the same answer – that negotiations are on hold until the end of the season.
Quite why Fleet Street’s finest thought they were going to get a different answer in today’s press conference is beyond us, but you have to admire their persistence.
Anyway, regular as clockwork, Arteta, with the patience of a saint, reiterated: “Yeah, we have discussions as you know and at the end of the season, once we know where we are, we will make a decision all together.
“I don’t want anyone to think about something else that is not that [the remaining matches]. The decision, we agreed, is to do it in the summer and we’re going to do it as soon as the season is finished.”
Asked if the player is happy with a decision to which he’s obviously already agreed [insert rolling eye emoji], Arteta added: “That’s a question for him, but obviously we have to make decisions and we made that decision to finalise that at the end of the season. That’s what we’re going to have to do.”
Arteta had already been asked by this point about Lacazette’s scoring record. He struck an optimistic note, even though it’s becoming increasingly clear that the former Lyon man might never score again*.
“Well I think he’s been very close and that’s why we have to keep pushing him and giving him support that he plays with that confidence and hopefully on Sunday he can do it,” said the manager.
__
*We’re trying reverse psychology.
If Laca provides an assist (or two) each match as he has been the last 10?
I don’t care if he ever scores again.*
*Just trying to help here.
The assists are great. But I’m really, really enjoying his shithousery too. If I was an apposing fan, I’d fucking be screaming at him.
He’s diving and moaning and grabbing his leg and holding his face and going down in the box and hassling the ref and wasting time and kicking defenders and treading on toes and putting elbows in faces when shielding the ball….
It’s great. I didn’t know he had such wonderful gamesmanship skills. He deserves an extension for that alone.
Agreed, he’s so cagey now it’s great. Maybe he’s auditioning for a job at Athleti.
Dunno that he’s cagey.
Maybe Nicolas Cagey.
I think he will join Auba at Barcelona end of the season. He did say see you soon to Auba.
Hadn’t thought about that, figured he would go back to his boyhood club but Barca could also be a likely destination.
I am really impressed by the way he uses his body to push opposition players and shield the ball when receiving passes that are slightly off and keep the move going. I have seen at least a couple of these instances turning into goals where the move might have easily broken down otherwise.
Exactly my thoughts too. In a sense his lack of height is an advantage to his newfound style of play. His ability to shield from CBs twice his size, then do that santi-esque pivot away from pressure is fantastic.
What’s the opposite of clickbait?
Andrew was using reverse psychology on you. It worked.
Harry Kane.
Dick bait.
An advert for the Spurs merchandise shop
I don’t think it would be a disaster to resign him on similar wages or less if anything to continue be the glue and obvious good influence he seem to be on the young boys. It seems the club is leaning that way too. While also signing starting striker. He’s been really good for us in these last months
Well, we know he’s not going to Chelsea.
💀
Let him leave and we need to buy 2 strikers, including the the problematic purchase of a back-up. Keep him and we only need to buy 1. It’s a no brainier surely?
Agreed it’s a no brainer from the club’s perspective, question really relies on Laca and if he wants to serve out the remainder of his competitive career playing as more of a mentor, resigned to cup games or head back to France and be the focal point again. Interesting take for him, especially if we make Europe
London is a nice place to live and play. Even if wages are reduced a degree.
If we’re back in Europe, it will mean Arsenal have significantly more income, and Lacazette was a major part in us getting back into Europe. It would be an insult if we offered him reduced wages. If we choose to extend, let it be on the same contract with a one year extension.
He’s never played champions league football with us. With the way he’s fighting this season, it’ll be a real pity if he doesn’t hang around to at least play one more season with us in the champions league.
I’d be happy to keep him but on a 1 year rolling extension.
HEADLINE: Arteta breaks silence on Lacazette contract stand-off
What utter lies the papers do peddle…
I don’t think laca could b prolific even if he moved to the inferior Ligue 1. At arsenal, he can go the way of arteta, mertesacker, and lungberg among others. There is life after playing football, which must b at the back of his mind
To be fair he should’ve won at least three penalties I can think of, and it’s not his fault that Granit put his toenail offside when he had a nice finish disallowed. I’m enjoying his shithousery too.
Old ground.
He’s been a good servant, he’s part of the present but not the future. The pace has gone and we need a as new striker for 90+ during a game.
End of.