Arsenal invincible urges club to give ‘top professional’ a new contract

Dan Butterfield
Arsenal stars Aaron Ramsdale, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has urged the club to give captain Alexandre Lacazette a new contract, with his current deal up in the summer.

The French forward took the armband in December after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled by manager Mikel Arteta.

Abramovich, Russia, Gazprom and naughty Gunners celebrating

Aubameyang has since departed to Barcelona and whilst Lacazette has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, he played a huge part in the stoppage time winner against Wolves on Thursday evening.

The forwards strike was turned into the goal by Wolves keeper Jose Sa to give the Gunners a valuable three points in the race for the top four.

And now Arsenal icon Parlour believes Lacazette should be offered a new deal.

“He’s taken the role [of captain] on board. At times, when Aubameyang was captain, he was sitting on the bench, now he’s the main man up front,” Parlour told talkSPORT.

“He’s really taken the opportunity and grasped it to say, ‘I’m going to lead by example’.”

“Let’s hope they can do a deal with Lacazette because I’d love to see him stay at the club for another year.

“It’s not going to be a big deal like Aubameyang or [Mesut] Ozil. He’s a grounded footballer who will probably take the same deal again.

“They still need to buy strikers, but he’s always good to have around the dressing room and it seems like the youngsters are learning from him.

“You’ve got to have the right balance, good youngsters and people who have been around the block.

“I think he’s been brilliant since he got the captain’s armband.”

Lacazette’s leadership and the example he provides to the clubs younger players is a key reason for Arsenal to give him a new deal, according to Parlour.

“I know he’s a top professional, he’s coming to the end of his contract in the summer.

“He was making tackles by the corner flag and being a top example to the younger players.

“If you’ve got your captain, or someone you look up to as a senior pro, and you can see him working as hard as he did last night, then you’re going to do the same.”

Arsenal Alexandre Lacazette