GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he has no plans to sell Alexandre Lacazette in January despite the risk of losing the player for nothing at the end of the season.
The £54million striker is in the final year of his £180,000-a-week contract and has not been offered a new deal by the club.
That will leave Lacazette free to open talks with foreign teams in the New Year with a view to walking away from the Emirates as a free agent.
And Arteta believes that is an option which more major stars will pursue as a result of the bottom dropping out of the transfer market due to Covid.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are set for a transfer war with Manchester City for Real Sociedad star Alexander Isak.
The Gunners and City want to sign a new long-term striker to lead the line for the coming years.
According to Fichajes, both teams would be prepared to stump up the £76m to trigger Isak’s release clause.
The Sweden international is fit again after a hamstring problem and appears as the ideal candidate.
Finally, Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is the “best player in the Premier League running the ball” following his stunning performance against Aston Villa.
Carragher told Sky Sports: “I thought Arsenal were brilliant, I really did. It was very difficult for Villa to make two or three passes.
“Lacazette and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang were brilliant tonight. Even the supporters weren’t sure who the leaders are in this team but they both gave a real leader’s performance tonight.
“Emile Smith Rowe will get England caps, absolutely no doubt. There are so many good young players. He’ll have to bide his time, there are other young players ahead of him right now but I absolutely love that lad.
“I always want him to do well, you’re urging him on. To watch him in full flow, I’ve said he’s the best player in the Premier League running the ball.
“He’s so exciting, the pace, moving with the ball. He’s a special talent. He can pop up in different positions, he has that ability to play all four positions up top and that’s a real bonus”