Lacazette states his case for deal
BUT CAUTIOUS ARTETA WON’T RUSH
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE wore tights at a snow- bound Hawthorns, but his form was red- hot.
The Frenchman got on the scoresheet for the fourth successive game with a brace.
He was also integral to much of Arsenal’s slick attacking play in their third straight win.
But Gunners manager Mikel Arteta appears in no rush to hand Lacazette, 29, a new contract with his deal up next year.
Perhaps Arteta is cautious given Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang’s haul of just three goals since he signed a £ 250,000- a- week deal in September.
Aubameyang scored 29 last term, including both in the 2- 1 FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea but Lacazette is now the main man in attack again.
Arsenal have also had their fingers burned in the past – handing a £ 350,000- a- week deal to Mesut Ozil – and Arteta seems reluctant to be railroaded into any more premature deals.
The Arsenal manager said: “We have not talked about anything related to his contract.
“I am delighted with the way he has performed because he is scoring, has form and energy.
“He needs to keep doing that. We will
talk in the summer and make a decision then.”
There were lots of other impressive performers against struggling West Brom.
Left- back Kieran Tierney left Darnell Furlong trailing before bending a superb right- foot shot into the far corner.
Bukayo Saka made it 2- 0 after a fine, one- touch move involving Lacazette and Emile Smith Rowe. After the break Lacazette blasted two close- range finishes following more impressive play by Saka and Tierney down the flanks.
Scot Tierney, wearing short sleeves, not only scored the first but put Lacazette’s second on a plate.
Arteta, who celebrated a year in charge on December 20, said: “He must have something special in his blood because we were all wearing snoods, gloves and hats in training. Since I joined the club, I have seen a player with enormous talent and the perfect attitude.
“He can be Arsenal captain as he has the respect and admiration of every member of the staff and every player.” WEST BROM ( 4- 4- 1- 1): Johnstone 6; Furlong 5, Ajayi 6, Ivanovic 4 ( Bartley 66, 6), O’Shea 6; Phillips 6 ( Harper 81), Sawyers 6, Gallagher 6, Diangana 5 ( Austin 46, 6); Pereira 7; Robinson 6.
ARSENAL ( 4- 2- 3- 1): Leno 7; Bellerin 6 ( MaitlandNiles 54, 6), Holding 7, Mari 7, Tierney 8; Xhaka 7, Ceballos 7; Saka 8 ( Willian 71), Smith Rowe 8 ( Willock 77), Aubameyang 7; Lacazette 8. Goals: Tierney 23, Saka 28, Lacazette 60, 64.