Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta refuses to rule out new contract for Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Mikel Arteta has not ruled out the prospect of Alexandre Lacazette signing a new contract with Arsenal.

Lacazette, who scored a late equaliser against Crystal Palace on Monday night after coming off the bench, is into the final year of his current deal at Emirates Stadium.

The striker can talk to foreign clubs from January and sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of a potential free transfer next summer.

But asked if that meant Lacazette would not be signing a new deal, Arsenal manager Arteta said: “No, I wouldn’t say that. Anything is possible.

“It depends on a lot of things, it is not just a matter of being willing, it is about being possible to fulfil that will and when, which is very important as well.”

Arsenal could have possibly looked to cash in on Lacazette in the summer, but there was not huge interest in the 30-year-old.

Since then, the Frenchman has knuckled down after being demoted to a bench role at Arsenal, and Arteta said he never had any fears about the Frenchman’s attitude or commitment.

“I had no doubts about that,” he said. “If I would, probably I would suggest to do something different with him in the summer, when a player could not find the motivation or if his interests are just with his financial future.

“It is not the case with Laca, and he has shown that since I have been here every single day. That’s why he is a really important player for us.”

Arsenal are back in action tomorrow night when they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League at the Emirates. Arteta confirmed his medical staff are assessing the fitness of two or three players, one of whom is Bukayo Saka.

The winger went off at half-time against Crystal Palace after being kicked, albeit accidentally, by James McArthur and he was due to be assessed today.

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