AUBAMEYANG: I WANT TO LEAVE A LEGACY
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG wants to become an Arsenal legend after finally signing a new three-year deal. Captain Aubameyang ended any doubts about his future by committing to the club until 2023 with a contract that raises his initial wage to £250,000 a week. Further bonuses and loyalty payments are set to take his earnings past £300,000 a week and potentially beyond the £350,000 a week wage of top earner Mesut Ozil. Aubameyang, 31, said: ‘I signed the thing because I want to become an Arsenal legend, maybe leave a legacy. ‘It’s time to work a lot to become a legend but for sure I will give my best as always. ‘This is my home. I am really happy to stay here. I will always give you my best. ‘Signing for this special club was never in doubt.’ Aubameyang joined in January 2018 and has raced to 72 goals in just 111 games. As the initial three-and-a-half-year deal ticked down, fears grew about Arsenal’s prospects of keeping their talisman. But manager Mikel Arteta, appointed last
December, played a pivotal role in persuading Aubameyang to stay. He provided assurances that the club would surround him with sufficient quality to challenge for trophies and get back in the Champions League, having not been in the competition since his arrival. Arteta said: ‘He’s an important leader for the team and a big part of what we’re building. He wants to be up there with the best players in the world and leave his mark. He can achieve that here.’ Meanwhile, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is waiting for the final pieces of paperwork to be completed before his move to Aston Villa from Arsenal is rubber-stamped. He will join Villa in an initial £17m deal, with a further £3m in add-ons. His wages will rise from around £35,000 a week to £65,000 a week. Arsenal have rejected a £3m-plus-add-ons offer from Sheffield United for striker Folarin Balogun, 19. The Gunners
want a deal worth £15m-plus.