‘An absolute joke’: Paul Merson is not happy with Arsenal

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Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes the Gunners hierarchy needs to sort out the future of their top talents.

Over the years, Arsenal have offered huge contracts to the likes of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Both those players ended up leaving the Emirates Stadium after Mikel Arteta froze them out.

Now, Alexandre Lacazette’s contract is coming to an end. But despite this, Arteta named him captain in wake of Aubameyang’s departure.

Merson, writing in the Daily Star, believes giving the armband to Lacazette is “going two steps” back after offloading Aubameyang.

The Highbury legend feels Arsenal need to be looking at tying down the likes of Bukayo Saka to bumper new deals.

“Kieran Tierney should be Arsenal captain,” wrote Merson. “Because you can’t put your faith in Alexandre Lacazette.

“And my old club should start sorting out better contracts for young players like Bukayo Saka right now instead of wasting their money like they have before.

“(Lacazette’s) contract is up. You’d have to offer him a fortune if you give him a new one. And he hasn’t ripped it up for the last few years so why would he do it for the next few?

“Arsenal have young players who have come through the ranks and are getting paid next to nothing compared to him. They are the ones the club needs to be sorting out.

“It’s an absolute joke. Arsenal have got to tie these kids down. Give THEM the money. It’s players like Saka who need new contracts. Not players like Lacazette.”

Arteta has to strike a balance but Merson has a point – TBR View

With Arsenal out of Europe and still a long way away from being a title challenger, the pressure is on Arteta.

Giving Lacazette the armband is a pragmatic decision, as he’s a world-class player with plenty of experience.

At the same time, Merson has a point – it’s a little bizarre to give the captaincy to a player whose contract is up in summer.

And you’d like to think that, after the Ozil and Aubameyang situations, Arsenal have learned their lesson.

But armband aside, it’s true that the Gunners should also look to secure the futures of their top young talents.

Arsenal did well last summer in spending heavily on young players who’ve since become the spine of the new team.

But players like Saka are likely to have the elite clubs after them – so they should be the ones to get bumper deals.