Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract in the summer. Reuters
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract in the summer. Reuters
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract in the summer. Reuters
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette is out of contract in the summer. Reuters

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Football

Arteta fears Arsenal will regret letting Lacazette’s contract run down

French striker has admitted he is already talking to other clubs

The National

April 19, 2022

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Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal took a risk in delaying contract talks with Alexandre Lacazette until the summer – with the captain now revealing he has opened discussions with other clubs.

Lacazette’s deal expires at the end of the current season and the 30-year-old currently looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Lacazette said he was “in discussions with a lot of clubs”, adding he was “missing” playing in the Champions League and that he had “never cut contact” with Lyon, who he left to join Arsenal five years ago.

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The comments could not come at a worse time for the Gunners, who face London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening with their Premier League top-four hopes floundering.

Arsenal have now lost their last three games – to Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton – and sit sixth ahead of their short trip across the capital.

Asked if he was taken by surprise by Lacazette’s remarks, Arteta replied: “Well he doesn’t need to tell me what he does in his own life but he has, we have discussed that and he is entitled to do that – then he has a duty to do his best here.

“His contract situation allows him to make the decision about his future. We have expressed clearly what our intention is – to speak in the summer once we know where we are, about what we are going to do in the future together.

“And for the rest, I just want him fully focused on his duty, which is now defend Arsenal in the best possible way, like he has done all the time he has been with us. That’s why he has been wearing the armband of this football club, that’s a big reason.

Southampton v Arsenal player ratings

SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Forster 10 – Single-handedly kept Arsenal at bay. He made two sensational stops in the first 20 minutes, first low to his right to deny Martinelli, and then high to his right to keep out Saka. In the second half, keep out Xhaka, Nketiah and Saka. Sensational. Getty
SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Forster 10 – Single-handedly kept Arsenal at bay. He made two sensational stops in the first 20 minutes, first low to his right to deny Martinelli, and then high to his right to keep out Saka. In the second half, keep out Xhaka, Nketiah and Saka. Sensational. Getty
Yan Valery 6 – Made a superb block when he took a shot from Nketiah into the midriff shortly after the break. Was guilty of some hurried clearances, and was sometimes caught on the ball. Getty
Yan Valery 6 – Made a superb block when he took a shot from Nketiah into the midriff shortly after the break. Was guilty of some hurried clearances, and was sometimes caught on the ball. Getty
Jan Bednarek 8 – Scored the only goal of the game when he found himself in the right place at the right time to lash home from close range. He also won all his battles and a made a series of interceptions and clearances. Getty
Jan Bednarek 8 – Scored the only goal of the game when he found himself in the right place at the right time to lash home from close range. He also won all his battles and a made a series of interceptions and clearances. Getty
Kyle Walker-Peters 6 – His speed was a good counter to the threat of Saka and Martinelli. Though Arsenal’s attacking duo looked dangerous in the first 20 minutes, Walker-Peters did well thereafter. Getty
Kyle Walker-Peters 6 – His speed was a good counter to the threat of Saka and Martinelli. Though Arsenal’s attacking duo looked dangerous in the first 20 minutes, Walker-Peters did well thereafter. Getty
Oriol Romeu 6 – Having struggled against Chelsea a week earlier, Romeu worked tirelessly to keep possession better, and he certainly got the better of Arsenal’s weak midfield. Getty
Oriol Romeu 6 – Having struggled against Chelsea a week earlier, Romeu worked tirelessly to keep possession better, and he certainly got the better of Arsenal’s weak midfield. Getty
James Ward-Prowse 6 – There is more to the England midfielder than set pieces, but his corners were a constant menace. AFP
James Ward-Prowse 6 – There is more to the England midfielder than set pieces, but his corners were a constant menace. AFP
Romain Perraud 7 – Had a speculative effort from 20 yards which was blocked for a Saints corner. On the whole, though, Southampton look more comfortable and composed with the Frenchman on the left. PA
Romain Perraud 7 – Had a speculative effort from 20 yards which was blocked for a Saints corner. On the whole, though, Southampton look more comfortable and composed with the Frenchman on the left. PA
Stuart Armstrong 8 – Received a standing ovation when he left the field and deservedly so, for he worked tirelessly in attack. He was all over the pitch completing his defensive duties. Getty
Stuart Armstrong 8 – Received a standing ovation when he left the field and deservedly so, for he worked tirelessly in attack. He was all over the pitch completing his defensive duties. Getty
Mohamed Elyounoussi 7 – Did well to keep the ball in play for the opening goal. He didn’t give up on a ball that seemed destined to creep over the goal line, and his pull back found Bednarek, who scored. Led a late breakaway but wasted possession. AP
Mohamed Elyounoussi 7 – Did well to keep the ball in play for the opening goal. He didn’t give up on a ball that seemed destined to creep over the goal line, and his pull back found Bednarek, who scored. Led a late breakaway but wasted possession. AP
Armando Broja 7 – Teased the Arsenal defence in the opening stages, getting the better of Ben White. Always a threat on the ball. Getty
Armando Broja 7 – Teased the Arsenal defence in the opening stages, getting the better of Ben White. Always a threat on the ball. Getty
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 5 – Ramsdale had little to do until he picked the ball out of his net. He managed to get a hand to Bednarek’s effort, but there was simply too much power. Reuters
ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 5 – Ramsdale had little to do until he picked the ball out of his net. He managed to get a hand to Bednarek’s effort, but there was simply too much power. Reuters
Ben White 5 – The central defender was sluggish in possession and he found Broja a handful at times. Getty
Ben White 5 – The central defender was sluggish in possession and he found Broja a handful at times. Getty
Gabriel Magalhaes 6 – Was guilty of playing the Saints forward line onside for the goal, but he was one of Arsenal’s better players, breaking the lines with his passing. Getty
Gabriel Magalhaes 6 – Was guilty of playing the Saints forward line onside for the goal, but he was one of Arsenal’s better players, breaking the lines with his passing. Getty
Bukayo Saka 6 – Had a glorious chance to give Arsenal the lead but his effort – with the goal at his mercy – was tipped over the bar by Forster. Was a constant danger, but couldn’t find a way past Forster. Getty
Bukayo Saka 6 – Had a glorious chance to give Arsenal the lead but his effort – with the goal at his mercy – was tipped over the bar by Forster. Was a constant danger, but couldn’t find a way past Forster. Getty
Martin Odegaard 5 – The skipper failed to create much in the final third, though he saw an effort from the area well saved late on. Getty
Martin Odegaard 5 – The skipper failed to create much in the final third, though he saw an effort from the area well saved late on. Getty
Cedric Soares 4 – A poor display from the former Saints man, who was particularly wasteful from set pieces. AP
Cedric Soares 4 – A poor display from the former Saints man, who was particularly wasteful from set pieces. AP
Nuno Tavares 4 – Taken off for Nicolas Pepe in the second half, he started well but lost his way as the game went on. Getty
Nuno Tavares 4 – Taken off for Nicolas Pepe in the second half, he started well but lost his way as the game went on. Getty
Albert Sambi Lokonga 4 – Lost possession on numerous occasions and was guilty of slowing the play when he brought the ball out from deep positions. Getty
Albert Sambi Lokonga 4 – Lost possession on numerous occasions and was guilty of slowing the play when he brought the ball out from deep positions. Getty
Eddie Nketiah 6 – Worked hard in leading the line but had to wait until late on for his first effort on goal, which was thwarted by Forster. AFP
Eddie Nketiah 6 – Worked hard in leading the line but had to wait until late on for his first effort on goal, which was thwarted by Forster. AFP
Granit Xhaka 5 – Xhaka played much better when he was given more freedom to roam forward in the second half. He had an effort from range which troubled Forster, but not enough to catch him out. PA
Granit Xhaka 5 – Xhaka played much better when he was given more freedom to roam forward in the second half. He had an effort from range which troubled Forster, but not enough to catch him out. PA
Gabriel Martinelli 6 – Despite starting on an unfamiliar right-hand side he always looked a threat. He bookended Arsenal’s performance with chances at the beginning and end of the game. Reuters
Gabriel Martinelli 6 – Despite starting on an unfamiliar right-hand side he always looked a threat. He bookended Arsenal’s performance with chances at the beginning and end of the game. Reuters
SUBS: Emile Smith-Rowe (Soares, 60) 6 – Though he brought a greater sense of urgency to Arsenal’s attack, he couldn’t fashion an equaliser for his side. Reuters
SUBS: Emile Smith-Rowe (Soares, 60) 6 – Though he brought a greater sense of urgency to Arsenal’s attack, he couldn’t fashion an equaliser for his side. Reuters
Nicolas Pepe (Tavares, 70) N/A – The Frenchman’s lively cameo will have had Gunners fans scratching their heads as to why he didn’t start. PA
Nicolas Pepe (Tavares, 70) N/A – The Frenchman’s lively cameo will have had Gunners fans scratching their heads as to why he didn’t start. PA

“The contracts start and end with the expiry date that you have agreed on that day that you put the pen down.

“Then you have to deal with the consequences with that and that’s the reality of the contract that he has, and the commitment and the duty that he has with the football club.”

Lacazette is unlikely to feature at Chelsea after testing positive for coronavirus and Arteta admits Arsenal may have also missed the boat on attempting to keep the France striker at the club.

“It is the agreement that we made with him, that was our position and our position remains the same, that is what we are going to do,” he said.

“The risk of that happening, it was always there since the moment we made that decision, then it is up to him. It is not up to us or him it is up to both parties.”

Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, says the return of versatile defender Reece James has given him vital tactical flexibility as Chelsea bid to finish the season on a high note.

James missed two months earlier this season due to a hamstring injury and was sidelined again with a recurrence of the problem in March.

Since the 22-year-old returned to fitness, Chelsea have looked more composed at the back and carry more threat down the right flank.

Tuchel claims James is so good that he cannot decide whether the England international is better suited to play at right wing-back or right-sided centre-back.

The Chelsea boss revealed deploying James on the right of a three-man defence has not only helped combat opponents in recent weeks, but also contributed to keeping his player fresh.

"He can play both positions brilliantly, but we can only select him once," Tuchel said on Tuesday.

"I think that the back three is a little bit less demanding physically, in comparison to the wing-back position and given that he comes back from a long injury, a re-injury over so many weeks.

"This is anyway the next step, how many games can he play as a wing-back, if he plays wing-back during a season, reliable on a level where he's decisive.

"It's a bit less demanding physically in the back-three in terms of accelerations, long accelerations and high speed.

"That helps us to have him on the pitch for more minutes, and that's why he plays in there. So we need to decide, but that's the reason at the moment."

UAE v Zimbabwe A

Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs

Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai

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Based: Amman, Jordan

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Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

UJDA CHAMAN

Produced: Panorama Studios International

Directed: Abhishek Pathak

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Rating: 3.5 /5 stars

Main report
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

UAE currency
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

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Founded: January 2018

Based: Dubai

Sector: E-commerce

Size: (employees): 22

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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.

A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.

Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.

A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.

On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.

The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.

Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.

The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later. 

Poland Statement
All people fleeing from Ukraine before the armed conflict are allowed to enter Poland. Our country shelters every person whose life is in danger - regardless of their nationality.

The dominant group of refugees in Poland are citizens of Ukraine, but among the people checked by the Border Guard are also citizens of the USA, Nigeria, India, Georgia and other countries.

All persons admitted to Poland are verified by the Border Guard. In relation to those who are in doubt, e.g. do not have documents, Border Guard officers apply appropriate checking procedures.

No person who has received refuge in Poland will be sent back to a country torn by war.

Abramovich London

A Kensington Palace Gardens house with 15 bedrooms is valued at more than £150 million.

A three-storey penthouse at Chelsea Waterfront bought for £22 million.

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