Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future is up in the air and a matter of debate. Mikel Arteta knows what it feels like for Arsenal to lose their star striker.
Mikel Arteta feels Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is as vital to Arsenal as Robin van Persie was during his playing days in north London. Aubameyang became the fastest Arsenal player to 50 Premier League goals on Wednesday, passing the landmark on his 79th appearance in England's top flight as the Gunners thrashed relegation-haunted Norwich City 4-0.
After the match, Arteta claimed he was "very positive" that the 31-year-old would sign a contract extension at Emirates Stadium, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season.
Speaking at a news conference to preview the crunch weekend trip to Wolves, the Arsenal boss reiterated his stance.
"I don't know, it's the way I feel," he said. "The way I communicate with him, the conversations that I have with him, with the people around him. It's the energy that I sense
"It's just my opinion. Things change very quickly in football but when you ask me what I feel about Auba's future in this moment, I feel that he wants to continue with us and keep developing and helping us to be a better team."
Arteta was pulling the strings in Arsenal's midfield when Van Persie was named PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2011-12, only for him to leave and inspire Manchester United to the Premier League title the following season.
"When we played with Robin he used to make the difference for us every week," Arteta recalled.
"I always say that he was one of the strikers I most enjoyed playing with because of his intelligence and overall quality to play in any position, any area of the field. Also the quality of his finishing and movement.
"Now we have the luck of having another player who can do that in any moment of the game.
"We have to feed him and put him in the right position as much as possible to win as many [as possible]."
Failure to beat Wolves, who are six points ahead of the Gunners in sixth with six matches remaining this season, would effectively end Arsenal's top-four hopes.
Arteta acknowledges progress on the field must be clear if Aubameyang is not to be tempted by admirers elsewhere.
"He needs to feel he belongs somewhere where we can achieve the goals that he has," he added.
"He's really settled in the city, his family are really happy. And he's loved, respected and admired by his team-mates, which is a huge thing to have in any football club.
"That's what gives me positivity. As well, I see the enjoyment that happens, the work rate he puts in all the time. That's where my feelings are coming from."
Afo_luny
1
At least he'll win the premuer league
decent_boo
1
artete should convince aubameyang to sign new contract
RAJAVETRIVELll
0
im not gonna prefer. Luiz sok mustafi. bcuz they r not good enough. and I believe attack can be the best form of defense. I would like arsenal to sign. Partey for around 45 to 50 million if possible and sell all those unwanted pieces and give Nelson willock nekitah and G Martinelli playing time and Luiz can start at times cuz he is good at long balls and on the ball as arera likes to play it from the back the reason he is not starting for me is that he is not reliable. Another player u can get along with Partey can be Todibo r the Leicester CB souz who can be very reliable at the back and r good physically and this would cost around 80 million which should be possible as we can generate around 40 to 50 million in sales of Mustafi Guendozi. xhaka.
paecdemuy
2
#auba auba going nowhere ❤❤🤣🖐
yewblmt
2
next squad
zabceiknyz
0
I Think Saka is Good enough to be a defensive midfielder and aubameyang to stay
Vobemnsz
1
it's good that
Gingerz
2
Just imagine
AzuhDante
1
if u want to be Arsenal again
TakundaNyabinde
5
Paeeklmns
2
I flied from Arsenal to Manchester united homes of trophies
VineethVinu
0
loaabsz
5
This is more I like it
hodbdin
1
Rudackst
1
sell aub then bulding new team like this players
AlexKingWeche
1
Aubameyang 'A' means Arsenal
Titi14
0
Very transparent coach I ever know ..I have Arteta will make arsenal great again not too long
he needs good backing by the club
tamcdkmst
2
The worsed fans in the whole world live on this app
tamcdkmst
2
Oh you mean leaving to a better Priemier League Team and Winning the PL Cup and Arsenal giving Auba a Guard of Honour... Gotcha!
I remember Arsenal winning the league at Old Trafford !!! There's no more shame than that
Gunners4ever❤
0
V Perdue wasnt weak mate. Man achieved after he left with all due respect bro
He did, but even he was only good in one season after he left us.
liycdeuyz
3
Oh you mean leaving to a better Priemier League Team and Winning the PL Cup and Arsenal giving Auba a Guard of Honour... Gotcha!
aakashwaran
2
High chances he will
Dauelnpsyz
2
Gabriel Martinelli still there
Bintu202
1
look at bright side arsenal make a great player,like van persie n sanchez , but they leave arsenal and look at them righy now they weak as a sand
V Perdue wasnt weak mate. Man achieved after he left with all due respect bro
Lizabkpuyz
5
Very transparent coach I ever know ..I have Arteta will make arsenal great again not too long
elisakanyonyi
1
you're like he's signing now
Nesleykariko
7
auba you still have alot to complete at arsenal you you wanted to be like Henry and that is why wenger give you number 14 so finsh what you have started brother
izyboy24
3
auba should not perform another van persie saga
kent123
3
look at bright side arsenal make a great player,like van persie n sanchez , but they leave arsenal and look at them righy now they weak as a sand
Natanya_Barrett
4
Regardless of whether he leaves or not which I think he will leave this is the time for Arsenal to pull their socks up the man must be so frustrated with this team even tho he wears a smile everytime if this clubs wants to be one of the best again they need a huge reconstruction from the bottom and straight up to the Kroenkes or else matters would only get worse
SireAuditordiggle
2
Lol auba doesn’t care..I repeat he doesn’t care...if you like make him captain of your women team too if he decides he wants to leave..he’s gonna leave..if you think I’m lying ask BORRUSIA DORTMUND
Jonilortyz
2
the board is sh*it , you can't get a player that has a quality like aubameyang with low price now in the market, it's better for renewal his contract at least 3 seasons until we get a replacement... I hope Eddie and martineli can learn much from him... one more ... we can get cash from ozil , Sokratis, Lacazette and guendozi for rasing auba contract and buy new defender and midfielder
GopaalAhmed
2
Aubameyang knows what it feels like to leave Arsenal