Arsenal have simple Lacazette future decision to make

The biannual debate over what to do with Alexandre Lacazette has arisen once again. This discussion usually crops up when it is least expected, which in itself should be a nudge down the path Arsenal should take.

Making an impact off the bench against Brighton, the Frenchman followed that up with an even stronger showing in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, a performance that there is no hesitancy in stating secured the side an unlikely point. That mini-comeback was all on him.

Rewarded for his heroics with a first Premier League start against Aston Villa, Lacazette justified Mikel Arteta’s decision with a noisy, engaged and committed performance in the No. 10/second striker role, somewhere he’s found comfort in these late stages of his career.

That has reignited the talk of his future, one that as it stands is due to embark on its next step away from north London upon the completion of his contract in June 2022, by which point he will be 31 years old.

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Arsenal have a simple decision to make on Alexandre Lacazette’s future as there should be no new contract for the striker beyond this season

And that should remain the fifth and final chapter of his red and white story.

Left to play out his deal after failed attempts to secure a buyer in the summer, the reality is that Arsenal will see a £50m player leave without anything made back in return. If such form is carried on then there will be definite January interest, although the club may feel his contributions will be more valuable than whatever can be accrued for a 30-year-old with six months left on his deal.

Any new contract handed out is not an indication of what has been but an investment for what may come. The reemergence of this conversation at various points in the season occurs due to the patches of form that Lacazette has become synonymous with. He has moments of brilliance and then well-known spells where nothing sticks, sparkles or succeeds.

Between now and the end of the season there will be matches where Lacazette should start; there will be matches where he’ll be a useful tool off the bench; and there will be occasions where his presence isn’t required.

After all, this is a £180k-per-week footballer contracted to the club. For someone of his rich experience and unique profile within the team, it would be foolish to leave him unused.

Seeing Aubameyang and Lacazette perform as they did against Villa reaffirmed the notion that the next centre-forward to join the club has to embody the better traits in both. To take the next step Arsenal must find the round peg for the round hole, not persist with two semicircles. One 30+ striker is enough.

A dedicated character with unwavering love for the club and a brilliant rapport with the supporters, one of the notable lasting impressions Lacazette is leaving at Arsenal is he’s providing framework that the striker hunt should work within. A model professional who the club can model their next centre-forward hunt around.

There will be more mini-resurgences as there will be slumps. For the 2021/22 campaign it’s about embracing the highs and coming to terms with the lows, all while gradually bidding farewell to someone who will leave with everyone’s best wishes.