Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is happy with how Alexandre Lacazette has responded to competition from Eddie Nketiah and is tired of speculation linking the Frenchman with a summer move.
Since the Premier League’s return last month, Lacazette and Nketiah have been battling to lead the line for Arsenal.
The pair have rotated who starts on a game-by-game basis so far, with Nketiah due to start on Wednesday against Norwich City after Lacazette got the nod against Sheffield United last Sunday.
Lacazette is yet to score for Arsenal since the Premier League’s comeback, but Arteta is pleased with the Frenchman’s role in the team.
“You know at this club you are going to have competition in your position,” he said.
“But just look at the work he (Lacazette) did the other day [against Sheffield United], it was incredible.
“I showed them all the clips. In the goal he goes to press, the way he linked up to get the penalty for us, and his attitude, was really, really good. So I was really happy with him again.”
Lacazette, like Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, has been linked with a move this summer and Atletico Madrid are interested.
But Arteta said: “I think we have speculation about the 24 players that I have in the team.
“I spoke with them and I constantly speak with them and the club to understand individual situations. And I can’t just keep all the time guessing if it is true what I am reading or not.”
