Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S NOT OVER ’TIL IT’S AUBA
Arteta insists erratic Gunners can still make Europe as long as Aubameyang fires in the goals
MIKEL ARTETA is convinced Pierre-emerick Aubameyang can fire Arsenal into Europe next season.
And the Gunners boss revealed he has had “many conversations” with Aubameyang in trying to get to the bottom of a frustrating season for his skipper.
Aubameyang, 31, has scored 14 goals in all competitions but it has been far from a vintage season for the striker. His form unquestionably dipped after signing a new megamoney £250,000-a-week three-year contract in September.
But Arteta believes Aubameyang, who was dropped for last month’s north London derby after arriving late, will be back to his best for the run-in.
Arteta (right, with Aubameyang) said: “We talked for months about the ratio of goals we need from him to give us the best possible chance of being at the top.
“It has not been what it has been in recent years. But obviously we need Auba in a different form in the next games to give us our best chance to finish where we want to finish the season, that’s clear.
“It is easy to connect things like that (the new contract), but I am not suspicious of that. We have had many conversations about what he wanted to do and he was very ambitious with that.
“To maintain that level is really complicated but he is trying his best, he is trying hard. That is what he is aiming to do.”
Aubameyang missed big chances against Olympiakos after being recalled for the Europa League tie and was off form in Arsenal’s draw at West Ham.
The Gabon international knows it’s crunch time as the Gunners face Liverpool today, ahead of Slavia Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.
Aubameyang has played up front and also wide this season, which Arteta insists is not the reason why he has struggled for consistency.
He said: “He can play off the left, off the right, in the middle. He’s done it, it’s nothing new. When you look at his stats in the past, there is not a big difference.
“It depends how we play and how much we provide him, and how efficient he is when he has these chances and these movements. When he’s got this form of confidence he is unstoppable.”
Arteta still believes Arsenal can qualify for Europe next season through their league position but admits it will take a huge late push.
He said: “It’s like a final every game. We need to win as many games as possible, we know that.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss has confirmed he wants to sign Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis – if they can convince him to stay.
He said: “I speak with him every day, I see his face and his body language and he seems happy here.
“Our contract with him is until the end of the season and we have to try to make him perform, to develop and be as happy as he can.
“The team is going to be reflecting in better performances and better results, and at the end of the season we will see where we are and will have a discussion.”
LINE-UPS: