Mikel Arteta has admitted that there’s a cloud hanging over the futures of his soon-to-be out-of-contract strikers at Arsenal, as quoted by The Guardian.
The Gunners have Gabriel Martinelli tied down until 2024, but there’s uncertainty everywhere else in the forward department.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is contracted until 2023 but is currently out of the first-team picture following a disciplinary breach, while Folarin Balogun’s short-term future likely involves a loan spell away from Arsenal.
Then there’s Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, who are at very different stages of their careers, but, as things stand, are both are free to leave the Emirates in the summer.
There’s plenty of interest in what the plan is with those two, particularly given that they’re both in good form.
Lacazette looks extra motivated right now and has a goal and two assists from his last three Premier League appearances, while Nketiah has scored five times in three EFL Cup outings but has barely featured in the league.
Arsenal boss addresses striker contract uncertainty
When Aubameyang’s situation is factored in too, the prospect of losing multiple strikers between January and the end of the season must be concerning for Arsenal fans, and Arteta did little to allay fears when asked about contracts on Thursday.
“We have a cloud and the cloud is there and, at the moment, we’re not able to change it,” he said, as quoted by The Guardian. “We’re working on it to try to make it as small as possible and as clear as possible, but it’s the situation we are in because contracts have details, the timing of them is tricky and we are trying to resolve it.”
“It depends on every single case, depends on the player’s situation, the minutes he’s playing, his willingness or the offer that you have.”
Tough decisions beckon for Arteta
Arteta is trying to build something at Arsenal but consistency and success can’t be found without goalscorers and action needs to be taken in the striking department sooner rather than later.
For continuity reasons, perhaps if Aubameyang is offloaded it would be prudent to do everything possible to tie the others down before bringing in an established goal-getter.
Nketiah’s desire for regular first-team football could be an obstacle too great to overcome, though, and with Lacazette only finding the net twice in the league this season, it would be a stretch to say that he’s really earned a new deal.
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