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Arsenal will not be selling Alexander Lacazette in January,
Instead, the striker will be allowed to run down his contract which means that he can leave for free next summer.
The 30-year old is into his final year of his contract at the Emirates, and had been a marginal figure this season until last week, with his first-team appearances limited mainly to cup games.
However, he was introduced off the bench against Crystal Palace and saved a point with a last gasp equaliser, and was given a start against Aston Villa and impressed, winning the penalty frow which his side eventually scored the second.
There had been speculation that Arsenal would attempt to cash in while they could, but now Mikel Arteta insists he will stay.
In part their hand has been forced by the announcement that clubs with players involved in the African Cup of Nations will have to release them as early as Boxing Day.
The Gunners have four players likely to be called-up by their respective countries, including club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.