Mikel Arteta delighted with Alexandre Lacazette’s performance vs West Ham United

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was delighted with the performance of Alexandre Lacazette during the club’s 2-0 win over West Ham United in the Premier League.

The Frenchman was handed the captain’s armband last weekend after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was axed from the matchday squad due to a disciplinary breach.

Lacazette led by example by opening the scoring for the Gunners, and he made another key goal contribution last night where he continued as the captain.

The 30-year-old provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli, who broke the deadlock shortly after the interval.

Lacazette should have bagged a goal of his own, but squandered his chance from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

Despite this, it was another strong performance from the centre-forward, who has excelled with the added responsibility of captaining the team recently.

Following the game, Arteta hinted that Lacazette could be captain for the rest of the campaign with Aubameyang stripped of the position earlier this week.

The Spanish tactician was delighted with the pride and commitment shown by the striker, and was ‘really happy’ with the derby showing from the £19.8m-rated star.

He told Arsenal.com: “Well he’s the next in line and he’s taken it the way everybody saw today – with such a pride and commitment, and I’m really happy with the way he played.”

Lacazette has shown an exceptional work rate whenever he has played for the Gunners this term. He was terrific with his high pressing and link-up play yesterday.

Aubameyang could return to the squad for the Leeds trip, but Lacazette is unlikely to be displaced from his starting position on the back of his recent displays.

His current deal with the Gunners expires at the end of the campaign. Arteta has repeatedly said that the striker’s future will only be decided in the off-season.

Should Lacazette keep performing with the same intensity over the coming months, the hierarchy may contemplate handing him a renewal with a salary hike.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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