The relationship between Arsenal and Alexandre Lacazette is officially over. The Premier League club announced on Friday, June 3, 2022, that the 31-year-old French striker would leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon on July 5, 2017, for a transfer fee worth €53 million. Since then, he has been one of the most prominent figures at the club.
Before the 2021-2022 season, Lacazette had to play under the shadow of the club’s former talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Hence, when Aubameyang had to leave the club for FC Barcelona on January 31, 2022, Lacazette was expected to step up.
Though he had less than a season left on his contract then, coach Mikel Arteta decided to make him Arsenal’s captain in place of Aubameyang.
While Aubameyang continued to bang in the goals at FC Barcelona, Alexandre Lacazette went on a string of lack of goalscoring form at Arsenal which forced Arteta to reduce his game time drastically.
At that point, it was clear that Arsenal would no longer extend Lacazette’s stay at the Premier League club but none of the parties confirmed that until earlier today.
A statement from coach Mikel Arteta read: “Laca has been a fantastic player for us. He’s been a real leader on and off the pitch and has been a very important influence on our younger players.
“His commitment to us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness.”
While the club’s Technical director Edu said: “A big thank you to Laca from everyone at Arsenal. He’s been really important to us. “He will always be part of the Arsenal family and we wish him well for everything in the future.”
What is the stats of Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal?
Since Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017, the Frenchman has played 206 games in all competitions in which he scored 71 goals and provided 36 assists.
In his last season at the Premier League club, Lacazette managed to score 6 goals and provided 8 assists in 36 games in all competitions.
During his five years stay at Arsenal, Lacazette helped Arsenal to win one FA Cup title and one Community Shield.
As it stands, from July 1, 2022, Alexandre Lacazette will be without a club if he is not able to seal a deal with another club before then.
