Mikel Arteta has been speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Watford on Sunday afternoon.
Interestingly, the Spaniard had some kind words to say about Alexandre Lacazette ahead of the trip to Vicarage Road.
What’s the story?
Well, Arteta believes the £182,063-a-week man has the ability to make his teammates better, as he showered the Frenchman in praise.
As quoted by Sky Sports, the 39-year-old said: “Laca has a really important quality, which is that he makes the people around him better. He understands the game really well, he’s a really intelligent player & his work-rate is phenomenal.”
It was nice of Arteta to highlight what Lacazette does bring to Arsenal, as many fans have complained about his lack of goals this season.
The 30-year-old has only scored five goals in 25 appearances this season, which isn’t great for a player of his obvious quality.
Nevertheless, as Arteta said, there are other things he brings to the side which help the Gunners tick, sometimes at the expense of his own personal goal tally.
Arsenal must not keep Alexandre Lacazette
As selfless as he has been so far this season, Arsenal should not be tempted into renewing Lacazette’s contract, which expires in June.
The £46.5m man is not justifying his massive salary, and it would be a mistake to keep him when he’s clearly declining going into his thirties.
For now – of course – Arteta should use Lacazette, as only he and Eddie Nketiah occupy the striker department after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left.
However, this summer should see an overhaul in that area, with Nketiah’s contract also expiring in June.
Lacazette can do the job for now, although plans for at least two new centre-forward additions should be drawn up by Edu before the summer window.
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