Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette scored twice in a 4-0 win over Slavia Prague to advance to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals under Mikel Arteta.
Martin Keown has heaped praise on Alexandre Lacazette for stepping up in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal.
The Frenchman was in fine form as Arsenal advanced to the Europa League semi-finals, scoring twice from the penalty spot before completing the 4-0 win over Slavia Prague with the fourth goal of the night in the second leg of the quarter-final.
After a brace in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday, he now has 17 goals in 38 games for the season, including four in his last two matches for the Gunners.
And, according to Keown, the striker is proving his worth to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal with his on-field exploits and leadership, adding that he has stepped up as a senior figure in the absence of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been hospitalized with malaria.
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After Arsenal's win in Prague, Keown said on BT Sport, "I think he Lacazette is really, really important.'
'We've been told Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has malaria, so we wish him well. Maybe that's why he seemed a little off-kilter and wasn't playing football like he usually did." However, you'll want Alexandre Lacazette to be there.
The best example he sets for the youngsters is his technique and creativity [for the fourth goal], which you can see in Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah. He pretends to aim, rolls his foot over it, widens the angle, and perfectly slots it in. What a fantastic example.'
Lacazette has been a key player for Arteta in recent weeks after a failed transfer, but his future is once again a source of doubt ahead of the summer transfer window, with his current contract due to expire in June 2022.
'With Aubameyang unavailable, he is a 29-year-old player who is becoming increasingly important for the young community,' Keown added.
'He just tucked that [penalty] away and made sure it was never in question. I believe he does an excellent job for all of those young players around him, and he simply leads by example with his current results on the pitch.'
Football.london understands that negotiations about a new contract for the experienced striker are yet to begin, despite manager Arteta's repeated statements that talks will begin in the summer.
And Arteta recently provided an update on his situation, expressing his gratitude for Lacazette's contribution, as the club's highest goalscorer this season. Last month, Arteta said, 'He has a contract with us.'
'He had a great game the other week. It's exactly what we've asked of him. I'm very pleased with him, and we'll see what happens when we have talks about his contract.'
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