£46m player killed his Arsenal career last night, Arteta won’t forget – our view

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Gabriel Martinelli isn’t the most relieved player at Arsenal at the moment.

Arsenal edged out Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Molineux last night.

Martinelli made it a nervy last 20 minutes for the Gunners after getting himself sent off, becoming the 15th player under Mikel Arteta to receive his marching orders.

And no doubt the Brazilian wonderkid will have been extremely relieved to see his teammates still grind out the victory nonetheless.

But not as relieved as Alexandre Lacazette.

Immediately after Martinelli got sent off, the French striker missed a gilt-edged chance to fire Arsenal into a 2-0 lead and effectively wrap up the three points long before the final whistle sounded.

And that’s probably the moment which probably killed Lacazette’s Gunners career for good.

Coffin nail

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gone, there’s so much more pressure on the 30-year-old striker – who cost £46 million in 2017 – now.

Lacazette is out of contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer but after terminating Aubameyang’s deal, and with Eddie Nketiah also set to become a free agent, an extension wouldn’t have been that unthinkable for the former Lyon hitman.

However, that miss at Molineux is the single-biggest reason as to why Arteta and Edu won’t be keeping Lacazette.

Because although the sitter didn’t wind up costing Arsenal, it just as easily could’ve.

Even if he improves his goalscoring between now and May – and he’s only scored three Premier League goals this season, by the way – the North Londoners will still be hesitant.

And it’s because despite being named captain, Lacazette isn’t in the least bit reliable and that moment last night will forever remind Arteta and Edu of that fact.