Mikel Arteta has spoken about Alexandre Lacazette’s future, praising the striker’s attitude in a thinly veiled criticism of his former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Whereas Aubameyang was frozen out by the coach in his final few months in London, Lacazette remains an important player for Arsenal.

Although Lacazette’s current contract ends in the summer, Arteta believes that the 30-year-old wants to extend his Arsenal stay, after arriving at the club in 2017.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season,” Arteta said of the Frenchman on Thursday, after he provoked the last gasp own goal for the 2-1 win over Wolves.

“We don’t have contracts that run for 20 years. It’s part of our job.

“He behaves like someone who wants to stay with us.

“I can only praise him and try to help him as much as possible.”