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Arteta "pretty positive" about new deal for Aubameyang

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is "pretty positive" that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will agr...



Arteta
Soccer

Arteta "pretty positive" about new deal for Aubameyang

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is "pretty positive" that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will agree to a new deal with the Gunners.

Aubameyang's current deal expires in June 2021 and it's believed the 30-year wants to be playing in the Champions League.

Arteta says it's up to the club to match the ambition of the Gabon international.

"We have had many discussions with Pierre, his family and his agent, and I am pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties, " said Arteta.

"He needs to feel valued, he needs to feel he belongs to us and that we want him.

"It is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career.

"In order to do that he needs to feel valued. He needs to feel like he belongs to us and we want him. He really needs to believe we can take this club forward in the way we want to do and he's going to be a key player to do that.

"I'm extremely happy with how he's performing and behaving. I have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss face to face a lot of things and I think he's very happy at the club.

"We would have liked to do things much quicker but our hands have been tied with time and communication. These unprecedented times bring a lot of uncertainty."

Aubameyang has scored 61 goals in 97 appearances since joining Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

Barcelona and Inter Milan are two of the clubs that have been linked with a move for the Gunners main man.

Arsenal, who are ninth in the table, travel to second-placed Manchester City when the Premier League restarts on Wednesday.

Arteta says his players are physically and mentally prepared ahead of their trip to the Etihad Stadium.

"I think we have found the right balance, and the most important thing was to provide the players with a safe environment to work where they could feel where there was no risk, or a very, very limited risk, to develop their profession," he said.

"I think we have managed to do that and from now on, the physical part is really good and the mental side as well has been a challenge over those three months. Now let's see how ready we are to compete."

 

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Arsenal Champions League Europa League Gabon Mikel Arteta Pierre Emerick Aubameyang Premier League