Arsenal fans can’t believe Mikel Arteta spoke about the club’s supposed ‘success’ when talking about Alexandre Lacazette’s future.
There is one-year remaining on the Frenchman’s contract at Arsenal and Arteta was asked about his future in North London ahead of their visit to Burnley on Saturday.
He told his pre-match press conference on Sky Sports: “No, he is fully involved. You give the reasons why he hasn’t played more minutes (because of COVID) and he will be back to the form that he can achieve.
“And I am sure, he will be instrumental in our success.”
Arsenal fans have questioned what ‘success’ their manager is talking about because they are currently hovering above the relegation zone.
They did win the FA Cup in his first season in charge of the club, but that was two seasons ago now and is a distant memory now.
Most recently, they finished eighth in the Premier League table and failed to secure European football for the first time in 25 years.
Given what Arteta and his players have been putting on the Emirates table of late, then it’s understandable that supporters are baffled by some of what their manager says.
As for Lacazette, his future at the club is an interesting one.
With his contract due up next summer, turned 30 in May, the signs perhaps suggest that he will be heading for the North London exit door.
It also needs to be remembered that, in the summer, there was talk about him possibly leaving, but he stayed put, so there has to be something there that suggests he won’t be an Arsenal player next season.
COVID did hit the former Lyon man at the start of this campaign and he has only played 31 minutes of Premier League football, as a result.
But, at this moment in time, Arteta is relying upon him.
Here is a selection of Arsenal fans reacting to Arteta’s comments on Lacazette:
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