Arsenal forward contract talks put on pauses until end of the season

Alexandre Lacazette’s contract situation with Arsenal is still up in the air and it appears it will still be that way until the end of the season; manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful of an extension thanks to a lift in the striker’s performances.

The Frenchman has been a great figure to watch as he leads Arsenal in their quest for a top-four finish. Sadly, time is running out with his contract expiring at the end of the current campaign. But lucky for him and because of a positive attitude, the manager is backing him for a new deal.

The Arsenal manager spoke highly of Lacazette over recent weeks and stated his acting captain has displayed an attitude of a player who wants to stay in North London and stay a Gunner.

However, the manager knows well and truly, this is not the right time for outside distractions such as contract talks or signs of potential new buys coming in to take one of the current squad member’s places.

The focus and fixation must be on top four and Champions League football for next season. So because of this and even though Alexandre Lacazette’s contract expires soon, they will not rush into decisions or business deals.

"Arsenal will not hold contract talks with striker Alexandre Lacazette until the end of the season.Lacazette, who has captained the club after former team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the armband in December, is due to be out of contract in the summer.The 30-year-old has been able to hold talks with overseas clubs since January but Mikel Arteta remains hopeful he can keep the Frenchman at the Emirates Stadium."

Alexandre Lacazette and others at Arsenal will hold extension talks once the campaign concludes

Lacazette is not the only player who must wait for the season to conclude but three or four other Gunners must also hang tight, according to the manager — one of them being academy product, Bukayo Saka.

Arteta on his striker and Arsenal’s captain:

"There is a chance (Lacazette signs a new deal), but we have decisions to make on three or four players in regards to the summer.Starting those conversations right now, I don’t think is the right way. We have spoken to all the players, what to expect, the freedom that they have because the contracts allow them to make any decisions, and with our position there.That’s what we are going to do. At the end of the season, we will sit down and decide what’s the best for all the parties. (Via: theathletic.com)"

The work never ends for a team building to reach the top again. Thankfully, as things stand, the hard work is paying off.

Laca won’t be short of options if he was to still end up leaving for free. His old club Lyon have already come knocking publically and are waiting for June to come.