London (dpa)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the situation with the strikers has cast a shadow over the entire club, but he hopes it will be resolved soon.
And the British news agency “BA Media” reported that the contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nikita, who scored nine goals this season, expire next summer, and they will have the right to negotiate with any clubs next January.
Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed the team’s last four matches after the club took a disciplinary decision against him.
We have shadows, and shadows exist,” Arteta said. At the moment we are unable to change this.
He added: We are working on this in an attempt to reduce this matter as much as possible and make it as clear as possible, but it is the situation we are in because contracts contain details, and their timing is deceptive, and we are trying to resolve this matter.
The Arsenal coach did not rule out that Lacazette and Nikita would extend their contracts with Arsenal, but the latter has been linked with a departure from the team during the recent transfer period, and this will most likely be the case in January, while the club can also benefit from the former Lyon player Lacazette.
Arteta, 39, said: “It depends on each case, on the position of the player, the minutes he plays, his desire or the offer you have, but this is something you have to study.
The future of Lacazette and Nikita could depend on the current situation with Aubameyang, who has been stripped of the captaincy.
The Gabonese international was recently excluded due to an incident described as a “discipline violation”, which was reported to be related to the player’s late return from a trip abroad to visit his sick mother.
This is not the first time that Aubameyang has been publicly punished, as he was excluded last March from facing Tottenham for another violation of the rules of discipline.
But Arteta indicated that he was not a dictator, and emphasized: I do not base my authority on being a dictator or ruthless.
“I only ask for respect and commitment,” he added. At this level, if I don’t get this, I’ll pack my bags and go somewhere else, because that’s the least I could ask for.
Arsenal will visit Norwich City on Boxing Day tomorrow.
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