Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal to sit down with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the end of the season to try and sign the hotshot striker up to a new deal.
The forward, who has scored 20 goals in all competitions for the Gunners this season, will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Some of Europe’s top clubs have already shown interest in signing the 30-year-old, including long-term admirers Barcelona, but Arsenal will be keen to tie their talisman down to a new contract.
“We will have to do that at some stage before the end of the season for sure and we will see the intentions that we have [and] his intentions,” said Arteta at a press conference.
“Where we are sitting in [the table at] that moment. I think it is difficult to predict that context right now.
“For me it is very easy. 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 Premier League table.
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Their other route into Europe’s premier competition was cut off following their shock Europa League exit at the hands of Olympiakos last week.
Aubameyang was visibly upset after missing a fine last-gasp chance to score and send Arsenal through but Arteta has revealed the former Borussia Dortmund forward is now over the disappointment and ready to kick on.
“He was down,” added the head coach. “He felt responsible for what happened.
“We all tried to convince him that even though he had the best chance of the game, he was the one who put us in that situation earlier.
“He’s done it [scored] on many occasions this season and last season. We need him happy, smiling and full of energy. That’s the way he’s looked for the last few days.”
Arteta also discussed other topics during his press conference, and you can read the best bits, below…
Lucas Torreira injury update
“He was quite positive this morning. I spoke with him and he was in pain. We don’t really know exactly the extent of the injury, he needs to see the specialist tomorrow here in London and we will know more about it.”
Kieran Tierney injury update
“He’s done two or three complete sessions now. He’s feeling more and more confident with the contact around him and hopefully he will join the squad soon.”
The impact of injuries this season
“We don’t know. I cannot tell you with points. For sure since I joined, the amount of things that’s happened is enormous, we just have to try to adapt it’s part of football.
“It doesn’t just happen to us, unfortunately it happens to many teams so we cannot be crying about that.
“Sometimes it’s bad luck, sometimes it’s part of the game we play and sometimes things we can avoid and do better as well from coaches or fitness coaches – but it is what it is.”
On the possible permanent signing Dani Ceballos
“We haven’t had any discussions about it. I’m really happy with Dani and what he’s bringing to the team right now. It took him a while after his injury to get to the level that he has and that I’ve seen in the past.
“He’s performing much better now and that’s why he’s playing many more games.”
Threat of West Ham
“They caused a lot of problems to big teams recently. I know David [Moyes] because I worked with him for seven years. I know his structure, I know how organised he is.
“I’m sure he’ll put a team out there that is going to make life very difficult for us; they will compete, they will be physical.
“We need to use our resources, play our game and then just think about performing. That performance will bring the points home.”
Sympathy with fans over Man City rearrangement
“Absolutely. I think the ones that are paying the price for it are our fans – no time to plan. It is what it is – we cannot do anything about it.
“Even for us it was not the right day to play the game for the schedule that we have but we don’t make those decisions.
“We have to try to support the fans as much as possible and give them everything they need to be able to travel to Manchester and support the team. But, as you said, it’s not ideal.”
