Arsenal captain Alexandre Lacazette has announced his departure from the club.
In a statement, the Gunners revealed that the Frenchman will depart later this month.
“Alex Lacazette’s current contract, which runs until June 30, is coming to an end,” the statement read.
Lacazette has made 206 appearances in all competitions since joining us from Lyon in July 2017, scoring 71 goals.”
Mikel Arteta added, ” Lacazette has been a wonderful player for us.
” He’s been a great leader on and off the field, and his influence on our younger players is enormous.
We thank him for his unwavering commitment to us, and we wish him and his family great success and happiness.”
Lacazette acknowledged that he was ready for a new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to a new adventure and a new challenge,” Lacazette said on Arsenal’s official website.
” I’d want to recall all of the wonderful experiences I spent at the club,
because it was just a delight to play for a club that I had aspired to since I was a child.
” I’m ecstatic to have spent five years at Arsenal.”I’ll keep in touch with my teammates,
coaches, and the club; I’ve supported Arsenal since I was a youngster, and I’ll surely do so again,
” I’m sure I’ll visit the stadium again.
” Lacazette joined Arsenal from Lyon for an estimated £52.7 million during Arsene Wenger’s time as manager.
Since then, he has made 206 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 71 goals in all competitions.
Under Mikel Arteta, he was part of the team that won the FA Cup and he also,
won the Community Shield the following season.
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January departure to Barcelona,
Lacazette becomes the second big-name attacker to leave the Emirates this season.
The Gunners will only have Eddie Nketiah as their senior striker next season as a result of their departures.
The Hale End academy graduate’s contract expires at the end of the season,
but recent rumors claim he is close to signing new terms with the north London club.
Arteta is expected to search the transfer market for attacking players.
with Gabriel Jesus of Man City appearing to be the most likely option at the moment,
Alexandre Lacazette has completed his Arsenal career in which he played his final game.
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Lacazette, on the other hand, is anticipated to return to his previous club Lyon.
The 31-year-old has previously hinted that a reunion with the team may be in the works.
“I have never severed communication with Lyon since I departed,” he remarked earlier this season. Because we are so near,
I try to visit the club once or twice a year to meet the medical staff. Lyon is aware that I am unemployed, and they have my contact information. It gets a little trickier if they don’t qualify for Europe.
I want to play in Europe; I haven’t played in the Champions League in a long time and it’s something I’m missing.
“It’s a bit more difficult; nothing is impossible in life, but it’s more difficult.”