Arsenal icon Alan Smith has claimed that Alexandre Lacazette has lost his pace in recent times.
The Gunners allowed fellow-frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave the club during the January transfer window, meaning Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are the only recognised centre-forwards at the club. To make matters more complicated, both forwards are into the final four months of their respective contracts at the Emirates Stadium, something that could result in technical director Edu opting to sign two strikers this summer, according to Smith.
Speaking to Stadium Astro, he said: “The players that can get 15-20 goals these days cost about £80 million. Are Arsenal going to be able to get those players when Champions League teams will be after them as well?
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“They tried to get Vlahovic, the boy from Fiorentina who went to Juventus, that didn’t quite work. I’m hoping they can get one. Maybe they need two central strikers in the summer.
“Lacazette, I don’t know what they’ll do with him. Will he want to sign again, a shorter contract? It looks like Nketiah is off.
“Lacazette has been a very good servant, but you know, his legs don’t move quite as quickly as they once did. He was never quick, but obviously, with Aubameyang gone, that is an area where Arsenal are short.”
Lacazette has struggled for goals this season, finding the back of the net just four times in the Premier League, with two of those being from the penalty spot. However, the Frenchman's link-up play has been invaluable, clinching seven league assists already this term as he has helped Mikel Arteta's side enjoy a run of form that sees them currently sit fourth in the table.
The 30-year-old will likely be named in the starting line-up on Saturday as the north London outfit take on Aston Villa at Villa Park, a chance to go four points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United.
