Arteta confident Aubameyang will agree to new deal soon
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is "pretty confident" that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to signing a new contract with the club, ending months of speculation that the Gabonese striker was nearing an exit.
"I keep being positive. We have had some really good talks with him and his agent and I am pretty confident that we're going to find an agreement soon. That's my feeling again," Arteta told the club's official website.
Aubameyang is entering the final year of his current deal in north London, sparking fears the 31-year-old could leave for free next summer following a similar departure for Aaron Ramsey in July 2019 that was met with widespread ridicule.
Arteta admitted that the FA Cup victory over Chelsea would encourage Aubameyang to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium, and the Spaniard says the star's impending new terms will provide a massive boost.
"I think he should be very happy if he's able to stay at the club for a long time. I think people will be delighted with that news," Arteta added.
Aubaemyang has arguably been Arsenal's best player since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 for a then-club-record £56-million transfer fee. Joint winner of the Premier League Golden Boot a year ago and runner-up this past season, Aubameyang, 31, has bagged 54 goals in 86 league appearances, becoming the quickest to the half-century mark in Premier League history during the 2019-20 campaign.
Arteta had plenty to say about other topics, too, during Thursday's press conference.
The gaffer responded to reports of an impending move to Wolverhampton for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, praising the versatile academy product and saying, "I have played him in the most important game."
Arteta addressed rumors of Gabriel Magalhaes' move to Arsenal, saying, "We are trying to finalize a deal."
He also hinted at an opportunity for Matteo Guendouzi's reintegration into the first team.