Gunners seek new deal to secure Aubameyang

MIKEL Arteta believes Arsenal need to sit down with captain PierreEmerick Aubameyang before the end of the season and thrash out a new deal.

The 30-year-old has scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Gunners so far this season, double the amount of any of his team-mates.

Speaking last week, head coach Arteta insisted Aubameyang

– whose contract expires at the end of the 2020/21 campaign – has to be considered a world-class talent despite not yet winning any silverware at the Emirates Stadium.

With some of Europe’s elite clubs reportedly showing an interest, Arsenal will be keen to tie their talisman down to a new contract and avoid losing him on a free as they did with Aaron Ramsey.

Now Arteta has urged those talks to take place sooner rather than later to make sure they keep hold of the Gabon striker.

“We will have to do that at some stage before the end of the season for sure,” Arteta said.

“I want to keep him under any circumstances.”

Reaching the Champions League would be seen as a way of boosting the chances of retaining Aubameyang’s services – but

Arsenal host West Ham this weekend sitting 10th in the table.

Their other route was cut off following their shock Europa League exit at the hands of Olympiacos.

Aubameyang was left visibly upset after missing a last-gasp chance to send Arsenal through but Arteta has revealed the former Borussia Dortmund forward is now over the disappointment and ready to kick on.