Alexandre Lacazette’s five-year spell at Arsenal has officially come to an end, with his return to Lyon now ratified at the expiration of his Gunners contract.
The Frenchman was signed from the Ligue 1 giants in a deal worth £46.5million back in the summer of 2017. And under three managers - Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta - he has led the line, scoring 71 goals in 206 appearances in all competitions.
His final season was unquestionably his most difficult, failing to hit double figures for the only time during his stint in English football. Lacazette ended his stay at Arsenal with the captain’s armband, taking on responsibilities following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
And although there were some suggestions of a new deal, Lacazette sealed a story-book return to Lyon, signing a contract until the summer of 2025. He is one of four players to have his exits confirmed at the end of June, with Arteta continuing what promises to be another summer of overhaul.
Jonathan Dinzeyi, Joel Lopes and Jordan McEneff are the other three players to be leaving the club. The trio all made appearances for the club’s development sides, but failed to make the grade in senior football.
July 1 could also mark the confirmation of Gabriel Jesus’ transfer from Manchester City. The Brazilian is set to become an Arsenal player, after a bid was accepted in the region of £45m. On Thursday, Jesus was spotted on the Emirates pitch, wearing the No.9 shirt, with an announcement now expected imminently.
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He will be expected to fill the boots of Lacazette, who had nothing but kind words for the club following his exit. “With the club we decided to go apart. The club is taking a new direction and we are at the end of my contract as well. Now it is time for me to have a new experience, a new adventure.
“I want to keep all the good moments I had in the club, because for me it was just a pleasure to play for a club that, since I was young, I dreamt of,” he added. “I’m really happy to have played for five years for Arsenal. I’ll keep in contact with my team-mates, with the coaches, with the club.
“I supported Arsenal since I was young, so obviously I’m going to keep supporting them. I know I will come back to the stadium as well.”
Jesus’ announcement will be the latest step in Arteta’s summer transfer plans, which he will hope finally sees the Gunners return to the Champions League. Having spent £150m in the summer of 2021, his young squad looked set for a top-four finish, only to be thwarted at the 11th hour by North London rivals Tottenham.
Fabio Vieira has already signed from FC Porto for more that £30m, while Sao Paulo’s Marquinhos and back-up keeper Matt Turner from New England Revolution have signed on the dotted line. There could yet be more to come at the Emirates however, with versatile Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez on the agenda, as well as harbouring slim hopes of landing Raphinha - despite interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
