Mikel Arteta speaks out on Lacazette’s performance and future ahead of Liverpool clash

Mikel Arteta provided an update on Alexandre Lacazette future in today’s press conference.

Lacazette is now featuring regularly in Arteta’s starting lineup as a second striker behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The French striker was initially sidelined until he managed to impress Arteta and is now a key figure in his setup. Lacazette’s long-term future is however still uncertain with his contract running out next summer.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday, Arteta revealed that he had been impressed by what Lacazette has offered in the recent games. He also said that talks of a new contract would take place towards the end of the current season.

Alexandre Lacazette. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)

“There is so much talk,” Arteta said in his press conference. “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.”

Reports earlier this week stated that the 30-year-old wants a long-term contract from Arsenal however, despite impressing Arsenal are only willing to offer the Frenchman a short-term deal.

Arteta is believed to value Lacazette as a key figure in Arsenal’s dressing room however, offering him a long-term contract would go against the recruitment policy that revolves around investing in younger players.