Alexandre Lacazette is leaving Arsenal.
Officially.
It’s been assumed for quite a while that Arsenal wouldn’t be extending the France international’s contract this summer after a relatively poor season on the goalscoring front.
Lacazette managed only four Premier League goals for the Gunners last term – two of which were penalties – and releasing the former Lyon hitman after his current deal expired made the most sense.
And that’s just what Arsenal have done, announcing the departure this afternoon.
The French marksman struck up a close friendship with fellow striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during his five-year spell at the Emirates Stadium, before succeeding the now-Barcelona attacker as captain upon the termination of his contract in January.
And going by Aubameyang’s Instagram story about Lacazette, the pair remain close.
Aubameyang used emojis instead of words to react to his pal’s departure today – including a handshake emoji, to reference his joint goal celebration with the 31-year-old.
At their peak, Lacazette and Aubameyang were a devastating combination up front for Arsenal.
During Unai Emery’s first season, the duo scored a combined 50 goals across all competitions as the Gunners reached the Europa League final and finished one point outside of the Champions League qualification places.
Under Mikel Arteta, however, the pair never looked as lethal.
Aubameyang left the Emirates Stadium in January after netting only 14 times in the Premier League since the start of Arteta’s first season – the 2020-21 campaign.
As for Lacazette, he managed only 17 top-flight goals in both of the Spaniard’s full seasons in North London.
It was time for a change and excitingly, Arsenal might be getting a top-drawer replacement in the form of Gabriel Jesus, who is said to be ‘very close‘ to joining Arteta’s side.
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