Mikel Arteta: 'No talks with Alexandre Lacazette over new Arsenal contract'

Arsenal first-team manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club are not in the process of discussing a new contract with forward Alexandre Lacazette.

The 29-year-old has started the season well for the Gunners, netting their opening goal in the victories over Fulham and West Ham United.

Lacazette was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium earlier this year, with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid all supposedly interested.

Despite the Frenchman having just two years to run on his existing contract, Arteta admits that discussions over fresh terms are not a priority.

"At the moment, we haven't started any negotiations," he told reporters. "We have a lot of things still to do in this market and at the moment we are focusing on those things.

"He's a player I'm really happy with. I think we've shown him a lot of faith since I arrived here.

"But we cannot start any speculation. We know that any player who is under two years of their contract is always going to be talked about."

Lacazette is into his fourth season as an Arsenal player and has made 129 appearances for the club in all competitions.