Mikel Arteta has hinted Alexandre Lacazette’s Arsenal future could depend on where they finish in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal are currently sat fourth in the table and they are in the driving seat to qualify for the Champions League.
The Gunners are one point ahead of Manchester United in fifth and they have three games in hand.
Lacazette, however, faces an uncertain future as he is out of contract in the summer and Arsenal won’t start talks until then.
And speaking about the striker’s future, Arteta hinted that which European competition the Gunners are playing in next season could have an impact.
“We have discussions as you know and at the end of the season, once we know where we are, we will make a decision all together,” he said.
“I don’t want anyone to think about something else that is not that. The decision, we agreed, is to do it in the summer and we’re going to do it as soon as the season is finished.
“We have to make decisions and we made that decision to finalise that at the end of the season. That’s what we’re going to have to do.”
Arsenal are ready to back Arteta in the transfer market this summer, but Champions League football will affect their budget.
“There are two things: the amount of games that you have to play and the amount of players you need in the squad,” said Arteta.
“The players you are losing or retaining in that squad, and then the [players] that are available, which playing in the European competitions changes a lot.”
Lacazette has become an important player for Arsenal this season, taking over the captaincy in the wake of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving, but he has struggled for goals.
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“I think he’s been very close and that’s why we have to keep pushing him and giving him support that he plays with that confidence and hopefully on Sunday he can do it,” said Arteta.
