ARSENAL v FULHAM

MIKEL ARTETA says Alexandre Lacazette is the glue holding Arsenal together in the absence of Pierreemerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners proved with Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final romp away to Slavia Prague that they could win without Aubayemang, who missed the game with malaria.

But Arteta admitted it’s big-game players like Lacazette who have stepped up – and hinted that the Frenchman is earning himself a new contract.

The Arsenal boss said: “He really glues the team together and that’s a quality that is not easy for a striker. He’s got it.

“In key moments and in big matches, you need players – and senior players who have this experience – to make the difference for you.

“For me, in his style and in his development, even if he’s soon turning 30 years old, he’s on the right path because he’s very willing to learn.

“He’s doing things in a much better way than before.

“I think the team is enjoying playing with him because he knows the team is ahead of anything.

“He is not a selfish striker at all but he has the ambition to score in every game. He is complementing those two things in a really clever and efficient way.” Lacazette is nearing the final year of his contract and his Arsenal future remains in doubt with Roma, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid all watching developments.

But he scored a brace in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United and then hit two more in the 4-0 win over Slavia, taking the captain’s armband from Aubameyang.

And from the moment he strode forward defiantly to take a knee directly in front of a Prague team who stood before kick-off, you could tell he had become a leader.

Now he is set to captain the team again tomorrow against Fulham as Aubameyang will not be rushed back after spending two days in hospital earlier this week.

And asked whether there was any movement on a new deal for Lacazette, Arteta said: “Yes, that he recovers today and then on Sunday scores more goals….”