Alexandre Lacazette said Gabriel, Ben White, Sambi Lokonga, or Kieran could succeed him as captain, should he leave the Emirates
By Kehinde Okeowo
Alexandre Lacazette has been given the nod to lead Arsenal by the gaffer, Mikel Arteta, this is even though the French striker’s future at the club remained unresolved.
The former captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of Arsenals’ captaincy for disciplinary reasons last year and Alexandre Lacazette took over the role on a default basis, being the vice-captain.
Given that Aubameyang has now signed permanently for Barcelona, the Arsenal manager has now made the French striker’s captaincy permanent.
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Lacazette’s new role is a little contentious at the moment since the 30-year-old’s contract is due to expire soon and he is yet to renew it.
When asked who is now the captain of the team in his pre-Wolves press conference, Arteta responded: “Laca is the captain at the moment, yes.”
He is one of the older and more experienced members of the squad, with a clean disciplinary track record and plenty of appearances wearing the armband already.
Lacazette, having not signed an extension with Arsenal despite his contract with the club coming to an end this summer, is now expected to leave the North London club as a free agent.
According to Football.London, the striker is free to speak to clubs over a pre-contract agreement without Arsenal’s permission.
and he is set to hold talks over a return to former club, Lyon.
He is also in discussions with several teams, but Lyon are said to be the front-runners.
Lyon president, Jean-Michel Aulas recently confirmed the club’s interest in the player to the media.
Aulas said, “We’ll do our best to sign Alexandre Lacazette in June.”
Though a director of the Ligue 1 outfit, Vincent Ponsot confirmed the club’s interest, he is not so confident they can bring Alexandre Lacazette back to Lyon.
“We’ve seen the maturity that he’s acquired. We’ve always remained in contact with him. But bringing in big players is always complicated.” He said.
L’Equipe reported that Lyon made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Lacazette in January and will try again, but they face competition from Arsenal who may still offer him an extension of one or two years in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Lacazette has listed four potential candidates, who could succeed him as captain, if he eventually leaves Arsenal in the future.
“There are some future captains,” Lacazette was quoted by Arsenal’s official website as saying.
“Gabriel, big Gabi, has got presence, leadership at the back. I think when he’s going to be more fluent in English, it will help a lot.
“Ben White as well, he’s more quiet maybe, but by the way he plays he can be a good leader and maybe with an edge can build up.
“Sambi Lokonga, but he’s already been a captain in the past so it’s not hard to say he can be a good captain.
“Kieran as well because I think he’s been a captain as well in the past for the national team a few times. You can see some future captains or leaders.”
