WE’LL KEEP AUBA HAPPY
Arteta on mission to retain key man
MIKEL ARTETA says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can be convinced to stay – provided Arsenal show they value him and deliver the Champions League football he craves.
The Arsenal striker is out of contract next summer and the Gunners can ill afford to let another star player head into the final year of his current deal.
The club will look to cash in on Aubameyang – who has cast doubt over his future – if
he refuses to sign a contract extension.
But Arteta feels Arsenal can help make the decision for the 31-year-old, who wants a deal to rival Mesut Ozil’s as the club’s biggest earner.
“We have had many discussions with Pierre, his family and his agent and I’m pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties,” said the Gunners boss.
“He needs to feel valued. He needs to feel that he belongs to us and we want him, and then he really needs to believe that we can take this club forward.”
Arteta has seen no suggestion that Aubameyang’s head has been turned elsewhere, adding: “I have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss face to face a lot of things, and so far as I’m aware he is happy at the club.”
But Arsenal’s boss admits offering Aubameyang a Champions League stage could be crucial.
“It would help persuade anybody but we are lucky to have the club that we have behind us,” he said.
“It is our obligation almost to be fighting for every trophy, that includes the Champions League as well.”