Give Aubameyang whatever he wants

MESSAGE to the Arsenal boardroom: whatever Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wants give it to him.

Finances are tight at the Emirates, that is no secret. Regardless, Mikel Arteta cannot afford to lose him. When his side were on the ropes, Aubameyang, for the umpteenth time, dragged his team out of the fire.

He beautifully dispatched the penalty he had won to fire Arsenal level, before scoring a breathtaking winner.

Aubameyang crossed himself and looked to the heavens as he wheeled away in celebration. There will be a prayer or two said among those in positions of power at Arsenal in the coming days as Aubameyang decides his future.

As ever when it comes to contract negotiations, many variables are at play. Money, of course, is key. The striker wants upwards of £250,000 per week before even considering signing a contract extension.

An extra £70,000 per week may sound reasonable for a player of Aubameyang’s calibre. But the Gunners are walking a financial tightrope after four campaigns out of the Champions League.

Arsenal’s Wembley triumph has at least secured Europa League football for next season, but will that be enough for Aubameyang?

With the right recruitment in the summer, Arsenal looked primed to make a sustained challenge for a top-four challenge next season.

But at 31, Aubameyang is running out of time. Arsenal’s FA Cup win was his first major winners medal. He will not want to stop now. But money talks. At least Arsenal will hope so.