Arteta ‘happy’ with transfer interest in Arsenal star Lacazette
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claims he is “happy” to hear Alexandre Lacazette is attracting interest from European clubs, as it means he’s “doing well”.
The Frenchman scored two in two games before the interational break and is the Gunner’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with 11 goals.
But the 29-year-old’s future at the club is uncertain with his deal set to expire in the summer of 2022.
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The contract situation has drawn interest from clubs around Europe including Atletico Madrid, Roma and Sevilla.
Arteta is pleased to hear about other clubs chasing his signature, seeing it as evidence of his fine form, claiming Lacazette’s future will be dscussed in the summer.
“I am always happy when people talk about our players and speculate, that means they are doing well and they are getting attention from other clubs,” he said.
“The situation with Laca, we’ll address in the summer, speak to him and just propose the future that we want – and that’s it.
“Now, I just want players focused and only focused on performing and getting the best out of them for the team.
“I think he has been really good. I think he has been in really good form for months now. I think he is sustaining that level.
“He is scoring goals and providing the team with something different as well. His work-rate has been phenomenal and it is what we want.
“We need those type of players hitting the best level when we want to have the chance to do that, because over the course of the season we have been missing goals.
“We have been missing that creativity in the final third and we need those players to step in and make the difference for the team.”
Lacazette will likely lead the line for Arsenal against Liverpool on Saturday, but Arteta may be without Bukayo Saka, who pulled out of the England squad with a hamstring problem.
“He hasn’t trained with the team yet, he’s been doing individual work,” said Arteta.
“We had to pull him out of the England squad unfortunately. He’s feeling better, but he hasn’t trained with the team yet.”
Emile Smith Rowe is also a doubt for Saturday’s game at Emirates Stadium after he missed England Under-21’s victory over Croatia on Wednesday.
“He has some discomfort in his hip, that’s why they decided to keep him out,” said Arteta.
“We will see today how he comes [back], speak to the doctors and the physios and see if he’s available for training tomorrow.”
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