Alexandre Lacazette put his Premier League woes to one side by bagging a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Brentford B in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday afternoon.
An Arsenal XI ran riot against their London rivals, with Rob Holding also getting himself on the scoresheet in the secret clash at London Colney. The majority of the Gunners first-team stars are currently on international duty, but Mikel Arteta's side were able to pepper in some experienced names such Lacazette, Holding and Bernd Leno to play alongside a host of their talented youngsters.
While the likes of Leno and Nuno Tavares were handed valuable minutes, Lacazette's flurry of goals has caught the eye of most Arsenal fans. The 30-year-old has struggled to find the net on a consistent basis for the Gunners this term, mustering just six goals in 29 appearances.
Despite fluffing a host of high-profile chances in recent matches, the Frenchman has emerged as Arteta's main man up front during Arsenal's recent run of games. The Londoners have tasted defeat just twice in their last 13 league games; a spell that has seen them consolidate their grip on the final Champions League berth.
Arteta may have turned to Lacazette after brutally axing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang in January, but the striker is due to be a free agent in the summer - and there are no guarantees that the ex-Lyon hitman won't follow Aubameyang out of the exit door in north London.
However, Arteta dropped his clearest hint yet that the Londoners are plotting to offer Lacazette fresh terms to keep him at the club earlier this month. The Gunners are reluctant to offer long deals to players in their 30s after being burned badly by Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil in the past.
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But Arteta's previous comments hinted that the club could try to find some common ground with Lacazette in a bid to keep him at the club. He said: “I think with Alex it's very clear what he brings to the team. He's shown it consistently since I've been here, and what we have to resolve is the contractual timing, in the best possible way, and when we all align on the same page.”
As well as Lacazette, Arsenal also face losing Eddie Nketiah for nothing at the end of the season. The Hale End academy graduate - who also played in Wednesday's friendly clash with Brentford B - has plundered 18 goals across 82 appearances for the Londoners after breaking into the senior ranks.
But the 22-year-old's future is also in limbo after another season on the fringes of Arteta's squad. A host of Premier League clubs - including Crystal Palace and Newcastle - have been credited with an interest in the striker.
