Arsenal legend urges club NOT to give Lacazette new deal
Martin Macdonald
- 10 Feb 2022 11:20 GMT
- 3 min read
Alexandre Lacazette should not be given a new contract at Arsenal even if he scores 10 goals between now and the end of the season, in the opinion of Paul Merson.
At the moment, Lacazette is Arsenal's only senior recognised centre-forward following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona.
The Frenchman's contract with the club expires in the summer and there are no suggestions he could be handed an extended deal.
But, due to the lack of numbers up top it is likely Lacazette will play a big part in the second half of the season for Mikel Arteta.
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Merson doesn't want Arsenal to make a similar mistake to Aubameyang, though, as the Gabon international was given a huge contract after a decent run of form only to see his performances fall the next season.
"If Alexandre Lacazette goes and gets 10 goals before the end of the season, they can't get lazy and just give him a new deal worth £250,000-a-week, thinking it might be his season next season," he told Sky Sports.
"For me, Lacazette has had his time at Arsenal. Whatever he does between now and the end of the season, he's had his chance."
Merson urges Arsenal to look after young players
At the moment, Arsenal face losing young star Eddie Nketiah in the summer due to his contract expiring also.
Merson has pleaded with the club to look after younger players more and make sure they are tied down to longer deals.
"What Arsenal now need to start doing is working on not letting happen what has happened too many times in the past when as an Arsenal fan, you are watching these bright young stars in action, and then all of a sudden you see in the press that they've only got a year left on their contracts," the former Arsenal midfielder continued.
"That cannot happen anymore. They've got to keep on topping up players' contracts. They have good young players, and they need to keep on top of their contracts. They can't get lazy and have players run down their contracts and eventually leave on a free.
"They need to show they have learnt from the mistakes of the past and get these players tied down so that they are playing their best years at Arsenal.
"They have got a good, young squad and if you can add another couple of top-quality signings for next season, I think there are happier times to come for Arsenal. Positive times are around the corner."
