Kevin Campbell has labelled criticism aimed at as ‘nonsense’ after the striker revealed he is looking for a move away from this summer.
Lacazette, 30, is out of contract with the Gunners at the end of the season and manager Mikel Arteta has not yet promised him an extension.
As a result, the Frenchman recently told French outlet Canal Plus that he is sounding out a new club ahead of next term with Lyon believed to be interested in his return.
However, Lacazette’s disclosure angered some Arsenal supporters who called for the striker to be banished from the squad for a lack of loyalty ahead of their top-four run-in.
But Campbell, who won the league with the north London side in 1991, believes Lacazette is right to talk to other clubs with Arsenal stalling on an extension to his deal.
Speaking to , he said: ‘What he said got highlighted. I am not worried about that though because the club haven’t committed to him. He knows he has to sort himself out. I have no problem with that.
‘ fans who say he shouldn’t play for the club again – what a load of nonsense. It makes no sense to me.
‘He only has a few months left on his contract. Look, if he is fit he should play. Lacazette has not been a problem all season.
‘He is telling the truth at the end of the day. If people can’t handle the truth don’t read it. Lacazette is talking to clubs, what is wrong with that? If the club wanted him they would have signed him up ages ago.’
Since joining the club in 2017, Lacazette’s goalscoring has gradually declined and he has fallen out-of-favour in recent games against Chelsea and Manchester United, losing his place to Eddie Nketiah.
However, his departure would still leave Arsenal desperately short of strikers especially if Nketiah, whose contract is also running out this summer, decides to leave too.
In January, the Gunners already lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona and have since struggled to score goals this season at a rate similar to that of their league rivals.
Hence, a striker signing is reported to be a top priority for Arteta who has been heavily linked with a move for Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus among others.
, .
, and .
