Mikel Arteta faces fresh Alexandre Lacazette problem as transfer saga takes another twist

Arteta gives update on Arsenal's transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day

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Arsenal are faced with losing both of their natural centre-forward options in the summer after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club, and their bid to keep Alexandre Lacazette has just become even more complicated.

Arsenal are already feeling the full repercussions of not signing a new striker in the January transfer window, as their remaining options continue to be linked with a move away.

Mikel Arteta finally cut ties with the rebellious Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who flew to Barcelona to the ‘surprise’ of Arsenal in order to force a move, but they failed to secure a replacement.

To make matters worse, their remaining strikers are both out of contract in the summer, as Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah could leave the Emirates for free at the end of the season.

Despite Arteta reiterating that he wants both stars to stay, he has been handed another issue as a new club have entered the race for Lacazette.

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Arsenal have left themselves in an extremely vulnerable position, as they face ending the season with no natural striker on their books to kick off the next campaign.

With Aubameyang always heading for the exit door in January, Arsenal set out to bring in a replacement, although their pursuit was unsuccessful and they have been left short until the end of the season.

Although Lacazette and Nketiah certainly have what it takes on their day, it doesn’t appear that either striker particularly wants to be at the club, with no contracts turned down.

Nketiah has been subject to interest from both Crystal Palace and Newcastle, and now Aston Villa have entered the race to sign Lacazette, according to reports.

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Acording to Turkish outlet Sporx, Villa have joined Lyon and Besiktas in the race to land the 30-year-old on a free transfer next summer, as Steven Gerrard looks to pile further misery on Arteta.

Lyon have taken a similar stance with the move that saw Tanguy Ndombele return to the club, and have approached Lacazette about a return to France, but Villa are hoping to thwart their chances and keep the striker in the Premier League.

It’s another blow for Arsenal, who have already watched January target Dusan Vlahovic get off to the dream start at new club Juventus, and they know that they must splash out in the summer to avoid a complete collapse.

Arteta and technical director Edu only have themselves to blame though, as the pair have never signed a striker during their working relationship, with Aubameyang and Lacazette the last no.9’s to be purchased by the club.

Edu arrived at Arsenal in July 2019, and was joined by Arteta five months later, but although hundreds of millions have been spent, the last time that the Gunners bought a striker was in 2018.

Despite that, they’ve allowed their marquee star to leave following a fall out with Arteta, and their other options are just months away from seeing out their contract, and now Arsenal will have to go all out to fix their messy situation.

Arteta either has to convince the club to offer Aubameyang a bumper new deal, or work their magic in the summer to secure a new target.

A new deal didn’t work for Aubameyang, as his form began to decline as soon as he saw a rapid rise in wages, but Arsenal may not be brave enough to gamble for an unknown star.

In order to be in the best position to add to their squad, they must work their way back into Europe this season, after missing out for the first time in 26 years at the end of the last campaign.

But they’ve left themselves short in what is a crucial second half of the season.

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