According to Football.London, Alexandre Lacazette doesn’t want to extend his contract at Arsenal. His current contract at Emirates expires at the end of the season, which means the attacker is now facing an uncertain future at the club. He could even be offloaded in the upcoming January transfer window, should any suitable offer come in the way of Mikel Arteta and Edu.
Alexandre Lacazette: A Liability Or An Asset?
It is fair to say that Alexandre Lacazette has had a mixed spell at Arsenal, since joining the club four years ago. The forward has racked up 66 goals in 172 competitive appearances, largely playing in the shadow of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
In recent years, the Frenchman has been on and off, scoring goals but at an inconsistent rate and offering very little to the table, although, last season his 13 goals were invaluable in helping Arsenal finish in the top eight, especially in a campaign that saw Aubameyang falter miserably.
The former Lyon starlet has certainly had no shortage of opportunities under Arteta. In 70 games under the Spaniard, Lacazette has scored 24 goals, 17 of which came in the previous campaign.
But at the same time, he has been criticised for his finishing skills in front of the goal and his inconsistent performances, especially when facing a top team.
Should Arsenal Offload Him?
Despite scoring 13 goals last term, it is apparent that Alexandre Lacazette doesn’t have any future at Emirates. He has featured in only 31 minutes in the new season so far, falling behind Aubameyang and now, Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order.
It appears Arteta now prefers the speed and dynamism of the young Brazilian, which is probably a smart option as the Gunners do need players who can offer spark in the final third. Lacazette, in that regard, doesn’t quite fit the bill.
The Frenchman’s lack of reliability in front of goal certainly negates all the experience he brings to the table. And with his contract expiring at the end of the season, it will be a smart move from Arsenal to offload him in the January transfer window.
Lacazette’s departure should enable the young and exciting Folarin Balogun to earn a more prominent role in the first half. Perhaps more importantly, it will free up a sizable wage budget for the Gunners, as the forward is one of the highest-paid players in the Arsenal camp.
