STAR PERFORMER

Aubameyang passes 50-goal mark, pledges to stay at Arsenal

Mikel Arteta claimed PierreEmerick Aubameyang is willing to stay at Arsenal after he reached 50 Premier League goals faster than any player in the club’s history in Wednesday’s 4-0 demolition of Norwich.

Aubameyang punished a howler from Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul in the first half at the Emirates Stadium.

Amid speculation Aubameyang wants to leave at the end of the season, he underlined how important he is to Arsenal’s chances of success under Arteta.

He set up Granit Xhaka for Arsenal’s second goal and scored again himself after halftime to rout bottom-of-thetable Norwich.

Portugal defender Cedric Soares marked his Gunners debut with the fourth goal.

“He is willing to stay with us. He is really happy where he is,” Arteta said of Aubameyang, who has a year left on his contract.

“I leave that to the football club and the senior people that finalise the contracts.”

“Auba knows really well what my thoughts are towards him and the project that I want to create, and how much he is part of that.”

Aubameyang, 31, now has 51

Premier League goals in 79 appearances since moving from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

Arsenal are in seventh place, six points behind sixth-placed Wolves, as they try to secure Europa League qualification.

Having reached the FA Cup semifinals last weekend, Arsenal’s third successive win in all competitions maintained their revival.

Norwich are six points from safety and have just six games left to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Aubameyang was in menacing form from the start and broke into the penalty area for a strike that Krul turned away.

Ben Godfrey went closer at the other end when the Norwich defender’s 30-yard blast brought a superb save from Emiliano Martinez.

Aubameyang was gifted his

Arsenal are in seventh place, six points behind sixth-placed Wolves, as they try to secure Europa League qualification

50th goal in the 33rd minute when he chased down Krul on the edge of the area and slotted into the empty net.

He followed his 21st goal of the season by providing the assist as Arsenal doubled their lead four minutes later.

Kieran Tierney helped the ball onto the Gabon star and his precise pass picked out Xhaka, for his first Arsenal goal this season.

Norwich were denied a lifeline by Martinez, who kept out Kenny McLean’s free-kick just before halftime.

Adam Idah, one of three Norwich changes at halftime, drew yet another fine save from Martinez.

Aubameyang got his second in the 67th minute, seizing on Josip Drmic’s wayward pass.

Cedric fired home in the 81st minute. —