Mikel Arteta says Arsenal have a ‘phenomenal’ player in their ranks who offers the team something different

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken highly of Alexandre Lacazette, describing his recent form as “phenomenal” and saying he offers the Gunners something different.

In addition, the Arsenal boss confirmed that the player’s future will be discussed and decided at the end of the season.

Lacazette is out of contract next summer, and is free to speak to overseas clubs as of next January if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.

Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus, along with La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid, were linked with Lacazette’s services last year.

According to ESPN, Spanish side Sevilla and Serie A outfit Roma have now begun monitoring the Frenchman, with Atletico still keen.

However, the outlet also claimed Lacazette is an important figure in the Arsenal dressing room and is in a strong position at the club.

The 29-year-old has been in great form recently, scoring a match-winning penalty against Tottenham and a dramatic equaliser at West Ham.

In addition, Arsenal’s attacking play has generally looked more cohesive with Lacazette leading the line.

“I think he’s been really good,” Arteta told the Arsenal website. “I think he’s been in really good form for months now. I think he’s sustaining that level.

“He’s scoring goals and he’s providing the team with something different as well. His work rate has been phenomenal and it’s what we want.

“We need those types of players hitting the best level and we want to have the chance to do that.

“Over the course of the season we have been missing goals, we’ve been missing that creativity in the final third and we need those players to step in and make that difference for the team.”

When asked about interest in Lacazette from other clubs, Arteta replied: “I am always happy when people talk about our players and speculate on that. It means they are doing well and getting attention from other clubs.

“The situation with Laca will get addressed in the summer. I will speak to him and just propose a future that we want and that’s it. Now I just want players focused and only focused on performing and getting the best out of them for the team.”