Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has made it clear that club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would not be leaving the Emirates Stadium in the transfer window.
The 30-year-old has been vital for the Gunners this season, bagging 15 goals in all competitions already. But his goals has not been enough to stop Arsenal from slipping to 12th in the Premier League standings and enduring their worst start to a Premier League season.
Arsenal are really struggling to convince Aubameyang to extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium. With the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter thought to be keen, Aubameyang has been left wondering whether a move away from Arsenal would be best for his career. There are even rumours that a move away could come even sooner.
While Arsenal obviously want to keep Aubameyang, they will be aware that his market value will continue to decrease as he gets closer to the end of his contract, while Arsenal will lose a lot of leverage if they fail to qualify for the Champions League again. However, newspaper reports from Spain claim Real Madrid will make a player-plus-cash offer for the Gabon international worth up to £70m.
Speaking to reporters after his side’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on New Year’s Day, Arteta said the possibility of Aubameyang being sold Arteta during the transfer window is slim. The Spaniard reaffirmed the Gunners’ commitment to keeping the former Borussia Dortmund man, insisting that the club has no plans to sell the star man.
“I don’t even think about that possibility with Auba, I want him here,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
Arteta also believes Granit Xhaka who has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium would stay at Arsenal beyond the January window. The coach added that despite the fact that the midfieler has agreed terms with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, he and the rest of his squad has offered the Swiss midfielder support because they need him in the team.
“I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings. I wanted to know why he thought this may not be the right place for him to continue his career,” he explained.
“I gave him my opinion, my perspective and told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective. I wanted his team-mates to have his back and change his mind, because we need him.
“I believe if we were able to do that then the fans would respond in a positive way. He can be a very important player for the club.
“I want him. I said to the club ‘no’ and I said to him ‘no’, after I cannot control what will happen.”
