Pure ecstasy. That was the feeling as Alexandre Lacazette willed Arsenal’s winner into existence and despite the fact he was not officially credited with the strike, everyone knows that is all his to claim and enjoy.
The Arsenal win over Wolves represented a giant leap forward towards their goal of qualifying for the Champions League. The first double over Bruno Lage’s side in nine seasons represent the differences between Mikel Arteta’s group and those that have come before.
Despite this, however, Arsenal needs to continue their ruthlessness with the squad that has seen them trim so much and improve so greatly.
Arteta has ensured that those who did not fit with what he expected from the group were removed and instead replaced with players ready to fight and commit to his Arsenal vision.
Alexandre Lacazette is certainly a player who has bought into what his manager wants, hence why he remains part of the group and is the current custodian of the captain’s armband.
However, at the end of the season, the Frenchman’s contract will expire and a decision needs to be made. Speaking after the win, Mikel Arteta left his view of the situation very much open to interpretation.
“He behaves like someone who wants to stay with us. We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season,” said Arteta.
“We don’t have contracts that run for 20 years, it’s our job. I can only praise him and try to help him.”
There has been no indication that Arsenal have tabled a contract offer to Lacazette and this should continue to be the case if the Gunners have higher ambitions.
Although the 30-year-old forced the winner, looking at the game, it was clear to see that a world-class striker would have likely finished off the chances presented much sooner. It could have been an assured victory instead of a last gasp one.
Jonathan David and Alexander Isak amongst others have been linked to the club in recent weeks.
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang already gone and Eddie Nketiah’s expiring contract set to see the 22-year-old follow, Arsenal will need to ensure they have strength in depth for the position.
Folarin Balogun’s impressive early spells with Middlesbrough provide hope he can offer the club something next season, but he alone is not enough.
Even extending Lacazette by a single year would be ill-advised. The club need to level up the position and the acquisition of two summer signings at striker would give Arsenal the lift it needs.
Assessing the other sides, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, they all have access to recognized quality forwards. The Gunners are competing with them this season without that.
Elevating the role with a double summer signing has exciting potential and with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard supporting the ambition should be limitless.
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