Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hoping for a swift resolution to Pierre Emerick Aubameyang's contract situation.
The striker's current deal runs out at the end of next season, and talks are ongoing regarding an extension for the man who's scored 20 Premier League goals this term.
Aubameyang scored twice in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City, bringing his tally since in recent weeks to five goals in six games.
"When I was talking about the uncertain things we have on the table, obviously he is one of them," Arteta said ahead of Tuesday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
"Another one is where are we going to finish and whether we are going to be playing in Europe or not which is going to have an impact. Then the situation with the market, how it's going to develop.
"With Auba, I think I've been very clear with what I want. The quicker we do it, for me personally, the better because the player will be more focused, more determined and more calm, but we have to respect the timings as well as the needs the football club has."
While wanting Aubameyang's situation sorted, Arteta clarified, "I'm very happy with the environment I have, the communication I have with the people at the club and with the plan we are putting together."
Arteta was also full of praise for Granit Xhaka after the weekend's 2-0 win at Wembley.
The Swiss midfielder looks a player reborn from the one whistled off the pitch by his own supporters last October and subsequently stripped of the Arsenal captaincy.
The manager has equated Xhaka's situation to that of David Luiz, in that both players feed off confidence.
"The challenge with Granit was to convince him that there was still a place for him here, that I had big belief in him and that things can turn around pretty quickly in this industry," Arteta said.
"He had to send the right messages. First, he had to believe that he could do it and if that was the case, we were going to support him all the way too.
"I'm really glad to hear and sense the reaction from the fans towards him because they can appreciate what he's done.
"That's in the past [the Crystal Palace incident], there's a lot of positives to take from sometimes difficult situations and we all learn from that.
"I think it's a really good example for any player that is in a difficult moment that if you are willing, if you are consistent and you really want to do it genuinely, I think there is a way back."
Meanwhile, a future role on Arteta's staff for his former team-mate Santi Cazorla has not been dismissed.
Cazorla called time on his second spell at Villareal at the weekend, and the 35-year old is close to joining Al-Sadd in Qatar, a club managed by Xavi.
Arteta told his press conference, "My opinion of Santi cannot be any higher. Personally, first, with the type of person he is and what he brings to that dressing room, but then also as a player for what he did throughout his career.
"About the coaching role and the future, we will see what happens. Right now, he's just finished [at Villarreal] so let him enjoy that moment and we'll see what happens in the future."
When pushed if talks had already taken place with Cazorla, Arteta simply signed off, "Not yet."
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