AUBA DEAL’S WRIGHT ON THE MONEY WATCH OUT GUNNERS... RIVALS HAVE EYES ON YOUR PRIZE: PAGE 41
GRIN AND YANG: Auba scored twice in the FA Cup Final last season
IAN WRIGHT says Arsenal captain Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang signing a new contract would be the Gunners’ best deal of the summer. The FA Cup winners have completed the capture of Brazilian pair Willian and £ 27million defender Gabriel Magalhaes – and manager Mikel Arteta wants at least two more new faces ahead of the Premier League kick- off on September 12.
But Gunners legend Wright believes keeping Aubameyang is “imperative”. The 31- year- old hit 29 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season and his deal expires next summer. And although Arteta is confident the Gabon striker will sign a new contract, it hasn’t happened yet. Wright ( inset) said: “To be honest, I think he will be the most significant signing Mikel can make.
“We do need to make that happen, simply because of what he brings to that team. When you look at the chances created for Arsenal, they were 16th in the league last year – and he still scored the amount of goals he scored.
“So if you can imagine, we can start creating more with the players we have signed – the Willians and people like that – then he is going to score more goals. It is imperative that he signs.”
Following the free transfer swoop for Willian, on a three- year deal from
London rivals Chelsea, and the move for 22- year- old Gabriel from Lille, Arteta has also sealed another season- long loan for midfielder Dani Ceballos.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey is Arteta’s next target – although Arsenal may have to offload players first to balance the books. Wright praised Arteta, who took over in December, for changing the culture at the club, adding: “When you look at the transformation under Mikel, you have to say we’re on the right track.” ARSENAL are making plans to have fans back at the Emirates next month. They are looking into hosting a reduced capacity crowd for the game with Sheffield United on October 3.