Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has created Alexandre Lacazette transfer ‘dilemma’ for Edu

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Mikel Arteta’s reluctance to pick Alexandre Lacazette of late may have caused something of a transfer dilemma for Edu at Arsenal.

The France striker, who has bagged 10 goals in 29 appearances this season, has started the Gunners’ last four matches on the bench.

It’s been a blow to the 29-year-old who seemed to hit a purple patch in December and January, scoring five and setting up another in six games.

But his recent lack of minutes will be a concern to Arteta and Edu with Lacazette’s contract soon to be entering its final year. The Frenchman’s current deal expires in 2022 and Arsenal’s chiefs will need to decide whether they cash in on the forward or tie him down.

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His recent lack of minutes also coincides with transfer interest from France. According to the Mirror, Monaco are keen in bringing in Lacazette in the summer.

The Gunners bought Lacazatte from Lyon for £52m in 2017 and his record in Ligue 1 speaks for itself.

But it would be a decision that would also impact team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The pair are close at Arsenal and the club would be reluctant for Lacazette to run his contract down.

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Aubameyang has managed to turnaround his form of late – scoring a hat-trick against Leeds and twice in the comeback against Benfica in the Europa League.

Arteta will be keen to not upset his star striker and recently discussed his upturn in form.

“Sometimes when you go through difficult moments, you can have those difficult moments and get into a sad mode and I think that’s the worst thing you can do because nobody has to feel sorry for themselves when you’re having those moments,” Arteta said.

“What you have to do is get upset, get angry, work harder and approach the situation and face it. Face the challenge in a way that creates more motivation and more hunger to do it and I think in recent weeks I’ve seen that reaction.

“For example, in a training session before we played here he missed a penalty and he was really upset. Instead of going sad he got upset and I said to the coaching staff that I like that and that he would be fine tomorrow.

“When you have that mentality, I think that’s the right way to approach it.”

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