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Mikel Arteta is confident that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will sign a new contract at Arsenal.
The striker has a year left on his current deal and has spoken openly about his next move representing the biggest decision of his career.
Aubameyang claimed no offer has yet been made but Arteta is optimistic that ongoing talks will result in the 30-year-old committing his future.
‘We have many discussions with Pierre, his family and his agent and I’m pretty positive we can find an agreement for all parties,’ the Arsenal manager said.
‘It is our responsibility to make him feel that this is the right next step in his career. In order to do that he needs to feel valued.
‘I think he needs to feel that he belongs to us and we want him, and then he really needs to believe that we can take this club forward the way we want to do and that he’s going to be a key player to do that.’
Aubameyang also stated that Arsenal ‘hold the key’ and that the club know the reasons ‘why nothing has happened yet’.
Retaining their captain is of paramount importance for Arteta, who is aware of interest from clubs on the continent. The manager believes clarity over a new contract would already have been found but for the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I’m extremely happy with how he’s been performing and behaving,’ he added. ‘I have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss a lot of things face to face, and so far as I’m aware he is very happy at the club.
‘Obviously these unprecedented times bring a lot of uncertainty. We are very lucky to have the club that we have behind us, so players want to come and join us.
‘It is not about who we want to attract (but also) it is how happy the players here are, how convinced they are at the right place. It is also our obligation to be fighting for every trophy and the Champions League.’
Arsenal face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, eight points shy of the top four with a game in hand. It is the first time Arteta comes up against former boss Pep Guardiola since leaving City last December.
‘He has been an influence since I was 16 when we met at Barcelona,’ Arteta said. ‘Then obviously in my coaching career and my personal life, he has an enormous influence.
‘How he’s treated me and how he deals with people is phenomenal. I’ve learned so much from him, we’ve lived some amazing moments together.’
