Matthew Upson thinks Alexandre Lacazette is heading for the Arsenal exit door and his future ‘doesn’t look positive’, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
The 30-year-old is out-of-contract at Arsenal next summer and Upson feels that he can’t see him signing a new deal.
Lacazette came off the bench on Monday night to score a stoppage-time equaliser, as the Gunners rescued a late point against Crystal Palace.
The Frenchman is yet to start a Premier League game this season and he will be hoping for that first start against Aston Villa on Friday night.
If he doesn’t get the nod, then it will be pretty obvious that he might not actually sign a deal.
Former Arsenal defender Upson admitted that he is ‘surprised’ by Lacazette’s situation in North London.
“I am surprised because he is different to what Arsenal have,” said Upson. “He’s more of a conventional and back-to-goal striker.
“I think he uses his body well. He can take hold of the ball. And he can relive pressure, which in games, is useful.
“It does surprise me because he is quite instinctive in the box. I think his goalscoring record is okay, given the number of games he has played for Arsenal. He doesn’t appear to be in favour. But I think Lacazette is different.
“Well, it doesn’t look positive. Whether or not he will want to stay at the club, not playing regular football. He is at an age where playing is really, really important – you saw his celebration (v Palace). It meant a lot to him. A lot of frustration came out of him.”
The issue with the Lacazette situation is that Arsenal might lose yet another top-quality player for nothing.
The debates can rage whether the £47 million signing from 2017 (BBC Sport) should be given more of a chance at the club.
But just like Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, another well-known player will leave for nothing, which isn’t a surprise because Arsenal haven’t been able to deal with contract situations properly over the years.
Nonetheless, all Lacazette can do until then is put the ball into the back of the net because Arsenal are seriously lacking that consistency.
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