Arteta tells Lacazette to focus on Arsenal amid exit talks

Mikel Arteta has told captain Alexandre Lacazette to focus on finishing the season with Arsenal after the Frenchman revealed that he is talking to other clubs.

Earlier this week Lacazette gave an interview to French outlet Canal+ where he revealed he is in pre-contract talks with several clubs, including his former club Lyon, with the 30-year-old striker's contract in north London expiring on June 30.

Arteta reiterated that Arsenal have a plan to discuss Lacazette's future at the end of the season and told his captain that he has a duty to the football club to perform at his highest level.

"His contract situation allows him to make a decision about his future," Arteta said. "We have expressed clearly what our intention is: to speak in the summer once we know what we do in the future together.

"For the rest, I want him fully focused on his future which is to defend Arsenal all the time like he always does and that's why he's wearing the armband."

In the interview, Lacazette also revealed his intentions to play in the Champions League, with Arsenal currently locked in a battle with Tottenham and Manchester United for the Premier League's coveted fourth spot that allows a seat at European football's top table.

Lyon - who Lacazette played for before joining Arsenal for a then-club record fee in 2017 - are no closer to Champions League football than Arsenal, with the French club sitting in eighth place in Ligue 1, 17 points behind third spot which is the lowest position needed to qualify for the competition.

"I am in discussion with a lot of clubs," the striker announced. "I have never cut ties with Lyon since I left. I try to return to the club once or twice a year to see the medical staff again because we are really close.