Mikel Arteta has always sounded positive about the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as speculation mounted about his future.
With less than 12 months left on his current deal, it’s important for Arsenal to secure him to new terms, or face losing him for free next summer.
The rumour mill has been in overdrive of late, with people unearthing all kinds of clues that he’s about to sign on.
Smoke machines, photo-shoots, Tweets from the player and the club, random numbers which add up to 14, erroneous identification of pop videos as ‘evidence’ – it’s all been there, and at his press conference today Arteta admitted talks had gone well.
“I keep being positive, we’ve had some really good talks with him and his agent,” he said.
“I am pretty confident we’re going to find an agreement soon. That’s my feeling again.”
Asked it was going be a big lift for everyone, Arteta continued, “Absolutely, and for him as well I think!
“I think he should be very happy he’s able to stay at the club a long time, and I think people will be very happy at that news.”
It feels like it’s just a matter of when it might be announced, rather than if it’s going to get done.
Not signed yet? Great news then, if we pull the plug, we might still be able to sign Bendtner instead with the money of the sale.
The Greatest Signing To Ever Live!
Fingers crossed….
All excitment gone
Sign it, mister!
It’s dragging on a bit though, isn’t it. The reports of a deal were a couple of weeks ago, but nothing signed yet. As Sam Goldwyn, the “G” in MGM movie studios said, “a verbal agreement ain’t worth the paper it’s printed on”. Until/unless Auba actually signs anything can happen.
Agreed. Genuine cause for concern here I reckon.
It’s in Josh’s in-tray for sign off. Has been for weeks.
Do you know this? Is it being reported elsewhere? (Real questions.)
Yes
Waiting to see what other offers come in?.I can’t help feeling that if he really wanted to stay he would have signed already.
Don’t know why this is down voted. It can’t be that difficult to sign your best player, if both parties are totally committed.
You’re right, Andy. It can’t be difficult, can it? The down votes come from those of us who are doubting that ownership will step up to the plate. Some of us still remember the way we failed to keep; Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc, Ashley Cole, Robin Van Persie, etc., and of course, David Dein.
Could just be a question of timing and PR. Perhaps either one of Auba or Arsenal would prefer not to announce a large pay rise so soon after 55+ at the club lost their jobs??
First Gabriel and now Auba. Is things over dragging or what? Fingers crossed.
That’s great news.
Hey Auba, please sign da ting.
As a wise man once said “lovely jubly”
Sign that thing or I’ll do it my own way……
Sign tha thing mister
They’re probably waiting to offload some players to make room for his new wages
They were ready to sign him, but now will use the money for Messi instead.
Another signing that would have been over the line ages ago, but for Kroenke’s penny pinching.
Auba clearly wants reassurances about our ambition in the transfer market and how we’ll line up next season.
Hence the delay…….