Arsenal round-up: Striker completes medical; Sanchez set to stay; Giroud states intentions

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Alexandre Lacazette will become an Arsenal player imminently after flying in to complete a move.

BBC Sport earlier reported that he is having a medical with the Gunners and that he will become the club’s record signing, while Sky Sports sources are no suggesting that this has since been completed.

Although they had an initial bid for the French striker turned down, talks continued and a positive outcome has been reached. The fee is expected to surpass the £42.4 million that the club paid for Mesut Ozil and that sends out a statement of intent that they are ready to push on this summer.

There were some doubting whether Arsenal would make the signings required this summer, as Arsene Wenger has always been regarded as a reactive manager when it comes to transfers. However, this is a great move from the club as they have added one of the highest rated strikers in Europe.

His pace, dynamism and ice-cool finishing provide the squad with an exciting attacking option. The one doubt will be whether he can adjust to the Premier League, but he has shown enough in Ligue 1 and European competition to suggest that he will take it in his stride.

Alexis Sanchez could be set to stay at Arsenal after a tweet from Chilean journalist Juan Luis stated that the forward won’t leave the club this summer. Bayern Munich exited the race due to wage demands, while The Sun report that Manchester City are growing frustrated by the lack of progress.

Although Pep Guardiola is willing to pay over the odds, the Gunners don’t want to sell to a Premier League rival and there is increased optimism that they will successfully keep hold of him.

It remains to be seen how reliable this journalist is, as it is always difficult to fully trust the media outside of this country. However, if Sanchez did stay at Arsenal, it would be a huge surprise and send out a message to the rest of the league that they will no longer stand for being a second-tier club.

It is a bad image to sell your best players to rival clubs. Although it would represent a big financial hit if he was to leave on a free next summer, it is worth taking as it shows an elite mentality.

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Olivier Giroud has been linked with a move away from the club as Lacazette edges closer to signing, but the Frenchman has distanced himself from the speculation and pledged his loyalty to the Gunners. In an interview on the Arsenal weekly podcast, the striker had the following to say on his future:

“And that’s why I want to carry on my good journey at Arsenal and I always want to give my best.

“I would love to win another title, or maybe more until the end of my contract. The motivation is here, always doing your best to make your family proud.”

The striker may want to stay at the club, but it might not be a realistic option. Giroud will understand the importance of the upcoming season as there is a World Cup to be contested at the end of it. At the moment, the Frenchman is an important player for his national team, but that could change if he doesn’t play regularly. France have some of the best attacking talent in the world and it won’t take long for Giroud to lose his place if he is playing a secondary role at Arsenal.

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