Arsenal: Yes, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang contracts an issue

Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are stalling over new deals. This is a looming issue that Arsenal must solve swiftly.

The era of Arsenal’s star players running down their contracts had come to an end, apparently. That was the viewpoint of Raul Sanllehi and Vinai Venkatesham, the duo in charge of both the football and commercial aspects of the club. But that might not be as true as they would have liked.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Unai Emery out, again

The Gunners’ two best players of the past 18 months, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are both reportedly stalling over new contracts amid concerns about the lack of Champions League football at the Emirates.

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Charles Watts of Goal stated in a report this weekend:

"“Arsenal have been trying for some time now to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to sign new contracts, but so far the talks have proved unsuccessful. Both want to play in the Champions League so it is no surprise that right now they are keeping their options open.”"

And from the players’ perspective, this is a perfectly understandable stand. Both have carried the team throughout the Unai Emery era, sacrificing their own opportunity to win titles and play in the elite club competition in world football when their talent suggests they are capable of attaining such goals. From their point of view, why would you stay?

In Aubameyang’s case, while the club have tried to agree to a new contract, it might be better if they move on anyway. He turned 30 this summer and may only have one more year of decent value when he can be sold for a solid fee that can be reinvested in a suitable and capable replacement. But even then, should Aubameyang enter the final year of his contract, the formerly perceived value will not last long.

For Lacazette, the landscape is far bleaker. Not only will his value depreciate with every passing year that he does not sign a long-term deal; Lacazette’s future is something that Arsenal should want to keep in-house. He has been a superb player, winning the Player of the Season award last year, and is the perfect modern-day centre-forward to build an attack around. He is the type of player you do not sell unless a massive offer comes in.

Securing the future of Lacazette — Aubameyang, too, though perhaps not quite as urgently — must be a priority for the club. We have seen the damage of having star players run down their contracts, and despite protesting that they would not let it happen again, Arsenal are once more facing that calamitous prospect.

So, swiftly, efficiently and hopefully frugally, the club can agree to new contracts with both Aubameyang and Lacazette. This is a looming problem and it will only increase with every passing week.