Auba a stun Gunner

MIKEL ARTETA has called on his shell-shocked Arsenal players to support Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Arsenal manager said his leading goalscorer and captain was still stunned when he reported to training yesterday for the first time since Thursday night’ s Europa League exit against Olympiacos.

Aubameyang missed a lastminute open goal after his overhead kick had briefly set the Gunners on course to go through.

‘He was[ still] gutted,’ Arteta revealed. ‘Obviously he scored a wonder goal that was putting us through, and with the last kick of the game he had the best chance of the game.

‘He felt very responsible about it, we will all try to be right behind him. He has been phenomenal all season for us and now the players have to support him.

‘ His reaction after t he game — to face the media and the way he talked, it was very mature.’

The former B or us si a Dortmund hitman will enter the final year of his contract next season and Arsenal want him to sign a new deal so they are not forced to sell their prime asset.

Arteta added: ‘I think we’ll know that in May, depending on where we finish, when we have a conversation with the club and a conversation with him.’

Without a game this weekend, Arteta’s thoughts are on tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at League One side Portsmouth.

The Spaniard lifted the trophy as captain at Arsenal and now wants to inspire his players to follow in his footsteps.

‘It’s a trophy linked with our history. We want to continue to be attached to that.’