Arsenal news: Arteta refuses to explain Lacazette contract decision after star’s interview | Football | Sport

Mikel Arteta has refused to explain Arsenal’s reasoning for putting off talks over Alexandre Lacazette’s future until the summer. Lacazette’s contract at the Emirates expires at the end of the season.

The Frenchman has scored just four Premier League goals this season and missed Saturday’s loss at Southampton after testing positive for COVID-19. He could make a return to the squad for the trip to Chelsea on Wednesday.

Lacazette’s future was the main topic of discussion at Arteta’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday. Asked why discussions will not be held until the summer, Arteta said there were a “few” reasons but he couldn’t say what they were. He replied: “I cannot go into any detail but there are a few things there.”

Lacazette held an interview with Canal Plus recently where he stated he was in discussions with other clubs regarding a potential free transfer. Some Arsenal supporters were angry with the striker’s comments but Arteta insisted he had no problem with it.

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“The risk of [missing the boat] is always there in the moment that we made that decision and then it’s up to him. This is not about us or him, it’s about both parties.

“First of all it’s not about me, it’s about we as a club, the decisions that we make with individuals, with the collective and how we plan things. We made that decision to understand better and have a clearer picture of what we want to do in the summer. That’s what we decided.”

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