Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that the Gunners will have to strive hard to fulfill Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s ambition if they have hopes of keeping the striker at the club.
The Gabon international scored two goals during their 3-2 win over Everton at the Emirates on Sunday. Two superb goals, one in 33rd minute and the second in the 46th minute along with an earlier goal from Nketiah in the 27th minute, saw Arsenal keep their top-four hopes alive.
With the Arsenal captain’s contract expiring at the end of next season, there has been uncertainty on whether the striker will stay at the North London club. The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Spain in recent times. Barcelona are said to be top potentials interested in the former Dortmund player. The La Liga giants club director Eric Abidal recently confirmed Barca’s interest.
In a post-match conference after Everton’s match, Arteta said he hopes to convince the striker to stay at the North London club.
“They are completely right to want him because he is a superb player,” the Gunners boss said.
“He completely deserves to be liked by other teams but hopefully we can convince him that this is the right place for him and he has a future here” Arteta added.
The Gunners boss also spoke on whether more performances similar to Sunday’s win will be enough to convince the striker to stay, Arteta added:
“Hopefully. Not just the wins but as well what we are trying to do that he really enjoys on that pitch that he feels he is very much part of what we are trying to build here and I think he is very much of that mindset.”
“I think it’s been tough for him. There has been a lot of disappointment in the last few months or years. He has big expectations, he wants to play with the biggest club, the bigger tournament and be with the best players in the world. We have to try and to support him and give him everything as a club that he really feels fulfilled, that’s the challenge we have” Arteta said.
Arsenal is currently ninth place in the English Premier League with 37 points. Tenth place Burnely also has 37 points. In order for Arsenal to finish the top four, they would need to win all of their remaining games to catch up to fourth place Chelsea who currently has 44 points.
