Lacazette announces Arsenal departure
Robin Bairner
- 3 Jun 2022 12:51 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal have announced that striker Alexandre Lacazette will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer.
Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017 and has gone on to play 206 times for the club, scoring 71 goals in the process.
However, the France attacker lost form in his final season at the club and it appears that the Gunners have elected to put their faith in Eddie Nketiah instead while also seeking further attacking options.
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Manager Mikel Arteta told the club's official website: “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 to our younger players.
"His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness.”
Technical Director Edu added: “A big thank you to Laca from everyone at Arsenal.
"He’s been really important for us. "He will always be part of the Arsenal family and we wish him well for everything in the future.”
Lacazette took only 94 seconds to score on his Premier League debut for the Emirates Stadium side, doing so against Leicester in 2017, and went on to top score for them in two of his five campaigns.
Once a gunner, Always a Gunner.❤️♣️ pic.twitter.com/RouDBIiGVy
— Alexandre Lacazette (@LacazetteAlex) June 3, 2022
What next for Lacazette?
Lacazette is set to move back to Lyon, his academy club, when his contract expires on 30 June.
The Ligue 1 side are likely to sell Moussa Dembele this summer - there are several clubs in the Premier League tracking the striker - and Lacazette, who is a massive favourite of the fans, would be welcomed back with open arms.
He has already 100 Ligue 1 goals for the Rhone side to his credit and he could be a marquee signing as they attempt to return to Europe after a disappointing first campaign under Peter Bosz.
