Pundit expects Lacazette to sign new Arsenal contract after ‘huge’ development
Alex McLeish has tipped Alexandre Lacazette to sign a new contract at Arsenal after being handed the captain’s armband by Mikel Arteta.
The former Rangers manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the 30-year-old would want to remain at the Emirates Stadium after increased game time this season.
Arteta made Lacazette captain for the 2-0 win over West Ham after stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the armband.
The Frenchman’s contract runs out at the end of the season.
As quoted by the Sun last month (22 November), Arteta confirmed there would not be any talks of a new deal until the end of the season.
However, McLeish suggested the decision to make him captain could be a ploy to convince him to stay.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’s a guy in form and has triggered his performance level at the very right moment. He’s looking very impressive.
“I would think that he would want to stay at Arsenal given the fact that he’s wearing that armband, which is huge. Arteta has so much faith in him, it looks like a little game plan to get him really nailed down.
“To get him to love the club, make him think: ‘Oh, I’m captain of Arsenal. Arsenal is a huge club. There are riches here that I might now get at another club but I know I have to stay at a particular level.’
“It’s all a bit of smoke and mirrors at times. The fact Arteta has put this trust in him, I can see him staying at Arsenal.”
The French striker has started Arsenal’s last three league games, scoring once and contributing an assist.
He has 185 appearances and 69 goals under his belt for the Gunners.
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