Suggestions that Arsenal could look to tie down Alex Lacazette to a new short-term deal are wide of the mark, according to Mikel Arteta.
“Anything is possible” was the Spaniard’s take when he talked last month about extending the striker’s contract even though, realistically, the player’s age and profile, coupled with the money he could net as a free agent next summer, all suggest otherwise.
Today, facing the media ahead of the trip to Anfield, he gave short shrift to a situation that is obviously way down his list of concerns.
“There is so much talk,” he said. “What I can say is that I’m really happy with what Laca is doing at the moment, and I’ve said that we are not going to be talking about any of that until the end of the season.”
For the record, Lacazette will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from six weeks time.
Arteta also refused to be drawn on suggestions Arsenal will allow Mo Elneny to leave for a Turkish club in January.
Galatasaray are said to want the Egyptian, who is another who will be out of contract in the summer.
“Again, I’m really happy with Mo,” said the boss. “I won’t be discussing individually other players, and it’s no time to do so.”
Usually as an Arsenal fan news like this would worry me but not anymore, I think Arteta seems to know what he is doing and trying to achieve in regards to player recruitment. There seems like a clear goal in the type of player he wants. I think another good striker will be arriving in the summer. Every thing is going to be grand.
I’m really happy with this Lacaissance but it would be so Arsenal to give him a new deal in the back of a few spirited performances. God knows we’ve been pushed into new contracts due to good form before. No names. He’s a top lad and has shown true professionalism by not bitching and moaning about being dropped but coming in and doing a great job when needed. But I think we can spend that £150k a week better and I do have a problem with a fully fit player who can only go 60mins. A lot of people say… Read more »
Actually we do have already his replacement in the shape of MØ.
But in order to make it work we need a striker that bonds with ESR Saka and Ødegård and brings the best out of them
Laca is a much better offensive player than Odegaard.
Correct. By if we are playing with 2 strikers then Martin is out.
I think the long term plan is to put him in the mix.
Yeah but he’s not “basically dead”. He’s the spark that has pushed the team forward last couple of months. Much better balanced with him up front. Will he leave? Probably, but time we give proper recognition to what he does and brings the team. Which he does not always get on here…blogs has been pushing him out the door last 3 years for example…!
do the stats account for sprinting vs jogging movement? just interested as I think he makes a lot of short sprints when closing ppl down which would partially explain why he gets so knackered
After last summer’s business I feel a little more comfortable with arteta and edu’s decision-making vis-a-vis player contracts. They’ve bought a bit of goodwill
He’s been excellent since coming back into the side, winning fouls and second balls in dangerous areas, linking play and being direct. We don’t really have anyone else in the squad with those qualities, either up front or attacking midfield. I think we will need to look for another physical and direct second striker or attacking midfielder if he goes.
I’d be happy to see him stay another year purely for the work he’s done assisting the younger lads around him that can’t be underestimated but I don’t think it would suit his own situation at 29 it’s his last big contract. I could see him moving to another premier league club he has a lot to offer and he’s always been professional while he’s been with us.
He is a great impact player and one of my favorites to watch when he’s on point. He can’t play every week or he wears out and he can’t play for 90 minutes basically ever. If we could keep him as a super sub I would absolutely love that because he’s blockbuster when he’s got juice. I think he probably wants more money and a longer deal than you can offer a super sub, unfortunately.
He’s great but we did this with Auba. We have two ageing senior strikers so we need to get one off the books and get someone like Isak in as a long term replacement…….
I’m sure there’s a plan in place
If we were going to extend him it had to be with 2 yrs left. No point in us or him extending now.
Bottomline… We are not gooing to compete for the league again with Laca or Auba as our CF’s. They may both offer something different and useful but to take a bigger step we need to refresh our front line. Martinelli, Balogun…We need a proper CF in there (at least 1) for us to step…if we will step
Mum is the word.🙄🙄🙄
I think a 1 year extension would be a good deal for Arsenal if Laca would accept it
Let’s get Jonathan David from Lille.
Ok.
Aim higher get Haaland and that’s practically our team for the next decade 🤔🤔