Arsenal transfer stance on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah revealed

Arsenal have big fish to fry on the pitch as the knockout stages of the Europa League loom and two of the Premier League top three await to sandwich those matches, but they may not have gas to turn the stove on unless they act in the upcoming summer transfer window.

It will be another busy period. Exciting, some might say, or infuriating, in the eyes of others. All transfer windows generally grind at least a few gears as rumour upon rumour is regurgitated onto the speculation conveyor belt, however, none may be quite so crucial as the upcoming one.

January was a joyous month. Two of the three areas to improve were more than adequately tended to while fringe, unwanted and unwilling stars were moved on coupled with necessary loans for peripheral players.

More players will leave in the summer and the plan is, naturally, that they’ll be replaced, with preparations for the end of the season already underway. Among those included in the potential outgoings are Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, whom it appears decisions has been made on.

Arsenal transfer stance on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah revealed

"“The club are likely to be open to letting the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah leave with both players entering into the final year of their contracts,” football.london claims."

Far from concrete, with plenty of speculation thrown in, the report hypothesises on two of the four strikers at the club, a number that arguably could be reduced to three since Folarin Balogun is still with the Under-23’s.

Much will be based on Mikel Arteta’s confidence in Balogun signing a new deal. The boss said of the forward ahead of the recent win over Leeds:

"“No, I’m still very positive that Flo is going to stay with us and it’s what we’re trying to do as a club, and it’s what I’m trying to do as a manager. “As far as I know from last week, the player wants to be here, so I’m positive. I think he’s made some big progress in a few months.”"

Folarin Balogun Stance Impacts Nketiah and Lacazette

The young striker has questioned whether he has a clear path towards the first team, and with Eddie Nketiah playing just ten minutes of Premier League football since Christmas but still in the squad ahead of him, you can understand his point of view.

You could, if the intention was to keep Nketiah, which it appears won’t be the case. Whether he signs a new contract before being loaned out, or if Arsenal accrue a healthy enough sum for a young, relatively experienced English striker, his gradual drift away from the senior side hints strongly towards and exit in some capacity.

Lacazette’s future has long-been discussed from all corners of the club due to his age and contract length, and despite finding some of his best form this season, that scoring streak will be taken advantage of to hike up his price rather than tie him down to a new deal.

However, both departing requires a reaction. It would leave Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to lead the line and Balogun to be his sole backup, a huge role to bestow on a 19-year-old without a Premier League appearance to his name.

It’s been heavily suggested that Tiago Tomas is closing in on a summer deal, perhaps as Balogun’s Under-23 replacement, but another striker who is ready to hit the ground running has to be acquired. How expensive and obtainable said player will be depends on the target, who would need to be convinced of Europa League football – and even that is not assured.

Gabriel Martinelli has the intelligence to play the role, as witnessed in last season’s Europa League, although an experienced, well-rounded centre-forward has to be on the list of options.

What is encouraging is an apparent pro-active approach, one that looks to the long-term plan as opposed to being swayed by short-term, as might’ve been the case with Lacazette.