EPL

Lyon return possible for Lacazette despite Champions League ambitions

By Sports Desk April 18, 2022

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is open to a return to former club Lyon, explaining that he is in talks with "many clubs" ahead of his contract expiring.

However, the 30-year-old also wants to play European football next season, and is eyeing a Champions League move after failing to make a single appearance in the competition for the Gunners. 

Lacazette has made 25 Premier League starts this season as Mikel Arteta's team chase a top-four finish, but looks set to end his five-year spell in north London when his deal expires at the end of June.

The Frenchman has scored just four league goals this campaign, but leads the Gunners squad for assists after laying on seven, and says he has multiple options open to him.

Lacazette said Lyon, whom he left for the Gunners in 2017, could be among them, expressing regret that a talented generation of French players, including himself and Corentin Tolisso, left the club at similar times.

"I am in discussion with many clubs," Lacazette told Canal Plus.

"I have never cut contact 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. So yes, now that Lyon knows that I am free, they have to come with a proposal.

"It would be good, but it's not me who decides. It's true that it's a bit sad and a shame that we all left at the same time, it may have been a mistake from the club."

However, Lacazette also emphasised his desire to play Champions League football, having arrived at Arsenal immediately after their most recent campaign in Europe's top competition, and hinted the absence of European football could be a stumbling block to any Lyon return, as they sit 8th in Ligue 1 with just six games remaining.

"I want to play in Europe, it's been a long time since I played in the Champions League too so I miss it," he added. "Nothing is impossible in life but it's a little more complicated [without European football]."

Lacazette was absent due to a positive COVID-19 test when Arsenal fell to their third consecutive Premier League defeat against Southampton on Saturday, as the Gunners saw their top-four hopes dealt another blow.

Related items

  • Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury Leicester's Fatawu ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury

    Leicester City manager Steve Cooper confirmed Abdul Fatawu will miss the rest of the season.

    The 20-year-old sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACL) while playing for Ghana against Angola during the international break.

    Fatawu has featured in all 11 of Leicester's Premier League matches so far this season and has registered two assists.

    No Leicester player has attempted (61) or completed (29) more dribbles than him, while his 30 crosses is also a team-high in the top-flight this season.

    "It's not good, it's a serious injury," said Cooper ahead of their match against Chelsea on Saturday.

    "It's a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

    "Albeit, it can be quite common in sport, and in particular football, but it's still a serious injury.

    "For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

    "He's obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

    "It's only a pause, and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which, with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case."

  • Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers

    Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.

    The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.

    What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.

    Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.

    Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.

    "It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.

    "I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.

    "I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.

    "It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."

    Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.

    They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.

    "It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.

    "The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.

    "I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."

  • Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feel surreal, says Slegers

    Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.

    The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.

    What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.

    Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.

    Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.

    "It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.

    "I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.

    "I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.

    "It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."

    Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.

    They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.

    "It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.

    "The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.

    "I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.