Clinton Morrison has stated that Alexandre Lacazette will ’sign a new contract’ at Arsenal, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (12/03/22 at 2:15 pm).
The former Crystal Palace player added that Lacazette has ‘outstanding’ qualities in his locker and he is a player who helps the youngsters in north London.
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the captain’s armband, and later on sold, the leadership duties were handed over to Lacazette.
The 30-year-old has done pretty well so far, and whilst his goals are lacking, he has played a pivotal part in Arsenal pushing so hard for Champions League football.
With his contract due to run out in the summer, Morrison explained why he will sign on the dotted line.
“He’ll sign a new contract,” said Morrison. “We talk about the goals, he doesn’t score.
“I think his link-up player is outstanding. He’s good and wants to play in that number ten. And probably nine further up.
“But it’s difficult because Odegaard is playing in there. But he is the link-up. We saw there, the touch for Martinelli’s goal against Watford, it’s brilliant centre-forward play.
“A lot of people will say ‘that’s easy that touch’. He has to cushion it, so he can come onto it and hit it first time. He probably doesn’t get enough centre-forward goals, in and around the six-yard box.
“They gave him the captain’s armband and he helps the young players ever so well.”
Regardless of what Lacazette does in the summer, Mikel Arteta still needs to look for a proven number nine.
In the creative department and out wide, the Gunners are sorted because they have the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard flying the flag.
And perhaps the inconsistent Nicolas Pepe might stay on, despite his struggles since his signing.
Either way, it would provide Arsenal with a far less headache if Lacazette is still at the club next season, nonetheless.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
