Lacazette gives ill-advised update on Arsenal future

When the teamsheets were announced for the away trip to Southampton there were a fair few of an Arsenal affiliation who were happy to see Alexandre Lacazette not involved. That says a lot when the person replacing him was Eddie Nketiah.

With just two open play goals in the Premier League this season the Frenchman has understandably come under severe scrutiny. Tasked with leading the line when Aubameyang was moved on to Barcelona, while he filled in strongly for around ten or so matches, that spell of facilitation and assists has fizzled out dramatically.

Now he appears to have no interest at all in being a No. 9, and his lack a threat is coupled with a drop off in link-up play. It’s not going well for him, or the team.

Arsenal will still need him, however, as he’s one of only two strikers left in the squad, both of whom have seven matches left representing this club. Stopping to think about it, the circumstances are quite remarkable. Mad, really.

Lacazette makes ill-advised comments on Arsenal future as he expresses desire for Champions League football and discusses Lyon return

It’s fairly certain Lacazette will leave when his contract expires, but there have never been any qualms over his professionalism for the remainder of his deal. Behind the scenes he’s a leader and a role model, while on matchday he leaves nothing on the pitch despite his considerable limitations.

But while everyone knows he’ll move on in the summer – with his hometown club Lyon thought to be interested – did he need to discuss it in the press?

"“I am in discussions with a lot of clubs. I am open,” he told Canal Plus.“I have never cut contact with Lyon since I left. I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff because we are really close. Lyon knows that I am free, they have come to the information.“"

Les Gones aren’t having a great season in Ligue 1 as they are locked in a battle to secure any European football this season, currently sitting five points adrift of Nice in fourth with six matches left to play.

"“It’s a bit more complicated”, Lacazette replied when asked if he would return to his former club even if they drop out of Europe. “I want to play in Europe, it’s been a long time since I played in the Champions League, I’m missing it.“It’s a little more complicated, nothing is impossible in life, but it’s a little more complicated.”"

In case the club captain wasn’t aware, Champions League football is what Arsenal are chasing, too. It may be that he fancies a return to Europe’s elite competition – how on earth he feels he has the requisite quality and fitness for that competition is another matter entirely – but right now speaking about his future in the French media is hugely ill-advised.

There are seven massive games left to play at the club he captains, and just like Arteta has deflected any questions about Lacazette’s future in the past, he should be doing likewise. He also said in the interview that he will give his all at the club and that it’s possible he could stay, but he should have stopped there.

While we all know it’s going to happen that he moves on, pushing that to one side for a few more weeks would have been more respectful in the midst of mini crisis in north London. Lacazette hasn’t scored from open play since December and here he is discussing new clubs and Champions League football? The audacity. Most frustrating is that it’s so out of character for him.

Much like his movement into the box, Lacazette’s timing is really off here.