Arsenal have confirmed the departure of Alexandre Lacazette on Friday after five years at the club.
Lacazette joined the Gunners in 2017 and had scored 71 goals for the club.
The Frenchman will leave the north London side when his contract ends on June 30 with reports he is said to re-join Lyon.
Manager Mikel Arteta, told the club’s official webstie: “Laca has been a fantastic player for us.
“He’s been a real leader on and off the pitch and has been a very important influence to our younger players.
“His commitment with us has been exceptional and we wish him and his family success and happiness.”
Alexandre Lacazette has opened up on his exit from Arsenal and sent a message to the club’s fans upon his departure.
When asked about the decision to leave the north London club in an exit interview on Arsenal’s website, he said: ‘With the club, we decided to go apart – the club taking a new direction but the end of my contract as well.
‘So now it is time for me to have a new experience, a new adventure.’
‘It’s complicated to choose one highlight when you live five years in a club with a lot of teammates and managers,’ Lacazette added.
‘It was a pleasure to play in a club that since I was young I dreamed about [playing for].
‘I want to say a big thank you [to the fans], because there were a lot of expectations for me when I signed. The welcome was amazing for me.
‘During my five years, it’s been amazing with the fans in the stadium. Thank you for the song as well, it touched me. A big thank you for everything.
‘I will keep in contact with my teammates, the manager and the club.’
