Alexandre Lacazette is set to wear the captain’s armband for Arsenal tonight against West Ham United, the Athletic report.
Captain Lacazette
Arsenal are yet to formally announce their new skipper following Pierre Emerick Aubameayng’s removal as captain yesterday.
And, according to the latest update, it will be Lacazette who wears the armband this evening.
That will immediately increase speculation that the Frenchman, who Arteta has previously labelled ‘brilliant’, could be awarded with the armband long-term.
However, there would have to be question marks over the thought process behind that decision if it was to be the case.
Lacazette’s contract at Arsenal is due to expire at the end of the season, so if he was made captain, the Gunners would be put back in the same situation as they currently are in just a matter of months, unless he signed an extension.
Putting the armband on Lacazette may be one way of trying to keep him onside though.
Lacazette is Aubameyang’s closest friend at Arsenal, and is an influential player in the dressing room.
Mikel Arteta may be able to deal with excluding Aubameyang from first-team matters, but he simply cannot afford to alienate any more of the first-team squad.
Arsenal go into their game against West Ham knowing that a win could revive their hopes of claiming a top four chance.
However, a defeat would leave them a considerable distance from the Champions League qualification places, which could heap further pressure on Arteta.
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