Mikel Arteta says he’ll do everything he can to get Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at Arsenal after the striker again underlined his importance to the club with a match-winning brace against Everton.
Aubameyang, who is out of contract in the summer of 2021, took his goals tally for the season to 19 with two expert finishes either side of the break as the Gunners ran out 3-2 winners to climb up to eighth in the table.
Dominic Calvert Lewin’s early opener set the tone for a thrilling afternoon at the Emirates as the visitors gave as good as they got right until the death. The Gunners bounced back on 27 minutes as Eddie Nketiah converted a brilliant cross by Bukayo Saka before Auba converted a brilliant through ball by David Luiz.
Richarlison bundled home an equaliser for the visitors in first half stoppage time before our club captain headed what turned out to be the winner as the Emirates crowd was still finding its seats after the break.
“He’s our most important player,” Arteta told Sky Sports after the game. “Stats wise there’s no question about the impact that he has on this team.
“So as much as I can and the club can we will try to convince him to stay with us.”
Barcelona have already admitted that Auba is on their radar – they even pondered a bid in January – and it’s expected they and others could return with a bid this summer.
In his post-game press conference, Arteta was quizzed on his main man having many suitors. “They are completely right to want him because he is a superb player,” he said.
“He completely deserves to be liked by other teams but hopefully we can convince him that this is the right place for him and he has a future here.”
Having made it clear that we won’t let valuable assets enter the final year of their contract, our football executive know they have a very short window to get a new deal done. Conversations which started last season have been on hold for some time and it feels like an impasse has been reached.
That said, with the club seemingly on an upward trajectory under Arteta, the Spaniard is hopeful the player can be persuaded to sign a new deal.
“I think it’s been tough for him,” said Arteta when asked about the player’s mindset. “There has been a lot of disappointment in the last few months or years.
“He has big expectations, he wants to play with the biggest club, the bigger tournament and be with the best players in the world. We have to try and to support him and give him everything as a club that he really feels fulfilled, that’s the challenge we have.”
It will certainly be difficult to replace Aubameyang who scored 60 goals in 95 appearances since signing from Borussia Dortmund two years ago.
Arteta was also quick to praise Aubameyang’s defensive contribution, which today saw him regularly tracking back to help out Saka.
“I am so happy with him,” said the boss. “Obviously, because he’s scoring very important goals but also because as a captain, he is giving a great example to everybody else that a player of his calibre is able to work the way that he is working defensively because the demands every three days are big and he is willing and happy to do it. I think he’s playing in regard to this.”
The boss admits he initially had reservations about Aubameyang when he first joined. Those have since been allayed with the Spaniard pleased he’s managed to convince the attacker of the need for him to put in a defensive shift every time he plays.
I had two questions [about Auba’s attitude to defending],” he revealed. “One was whether he wanted to do it, or could he not do it physically? So once I found out that physically he could do it, it was about convincing him to do it and that he can do it every three days. He’s showing that.”
This should be priority 1a. A world class striker that is again joint leader in goals (playing out of position may I add) and a leader that sets the culture in the lockeroom. Priority 1b is Saka. They both need to sign the things.
Side note: I love that Arteta helping Mustafi find some form means we may get a decent fee for him now when that was looking impossible just 2 months previous.
In my mind to keep him we must secure CL football. If we achieve that then we have a chance of keeping him. If not he will move 100%. The draw of Barcelona at his age must be massive. Probably last chance for him to make that kind of move.
At his age, you can’t blame him for wanting to move on if we aren’t in the Champions League next season. All the more reason to hope we find some way to get there.
Great player who regularly makes a difference. And a great bloke too.
i Really hope he does stay… he is such a great personality and up and coming players like Eddie and Gab will learn a lot from him.
This guy is just golden. Ever since taking the armband he has done nothing else but lead by example. Can you imagine Aguero or Kane putting in the hard yards at left back every game, yet having the athleticism and technique to carry the team at the other end? No, me neither. Humble guy (despite the cars) and a complete striker, I’m so proud to have him at the Arsenal and long may it continue.
In fairness, if I made millions every year, I’d probably have a guilty pleasure or two as well.
Love this man!
Yeah. I do feel he has become more ‘complete’ at Arsenal. His heading and buildup play has vastly improved since he came from BvB. Moves rarely break down with him involved now, and if he’s on the end of them.. well there is often only one outcome! Class act.
Should be main priority to keep him but if we do not get champions league football next year then it is pretty much certain he will go. To sign such a big player to a 3 year deal seems odd to say the least. Contracts need to be renewed 2 years before their expiry. Seems lessons still not being learned from previous experiences.
True, he deserves CL football more than anyone. If Barca come in with a bid and we are still in the Europa, I can’t see any way he stays. And I wouldn’t blame him one bit.
I can understand Auba waiting it out to see where Arsenal lands because the team has not shown enough consistency to be playing Champions League.
I would understand if Auba goes after the end of this season regardless of CL. He has last chance to play for a big club.
We are a big club mate
Not sure anything will happen on that front before it’s clear whether we get CL play next year. If I was world class footballer towards the end of career, it would be most important. But I am not. Even if not decisive, it’s a huge levarage point during negotiations, so no point of doing it now.
It’ll be difficult. IF we some how sneak into champions league (That 5th spot now a remote possibility with the going ons at City), we may have a chance. BUT at his age and if a lucrative offer comes in from a more complete team, unlikely he stays. We may also relish cashing in and using the money to rebuild in several areas given we have been hamstrung by lack of CL for 4 seasons now and have made some heavy commitments on Saliba and Pepe recently. Likely, we will push Martinelli into the forward role in absence rotating with… Read more »
Barcelona already have Messi, Greizmann, Suarez, Dembele, Coutinho & braithwaite ?. Why are they even trying to temp Auba.
Because all 6 of them could potentially leave in the summer?..
1) show him what happened to most of our players after they join farca.
2) get him a personal hair stylist. Might tip the balance for us!
I love the guy and as an Arsenal fan I will be devastated if he leaves, but I understand that he deserves to play for the best and right now we are not the best.
If we get CL, the only problems we will have are Barcelona and Madrid