Mikel Arteta tells Arsenal fans to ‘relax’ over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang contract and eyes more transfers
Mikel Arteta has hinted that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is about to sign a new contract at Arsenal.
On Thursday reports claimed the Gunners captain was close to penning a fresh three-year deal, which could make him the highest earner at the Emirates.
Aubameyang is crucial to Arsenal’s hopes of a successful season
But talks have been dragging on for months, which has resulted in panic among a section of Arsenal supporters.
When asked for an update on Aubameyang’s future ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener vs Fulham on Saturday – which is LIVE on talkSPORT at 12:30pm as part of GameDay – Arteta said: “I can say that I am even more confident than I was at the end of last season when you asked me the same question 10 times!
“I am very optimistic. I think they can be pretty relaxed.”
Arsenal have so far this summer brought in Willian on a free transfer and £27million defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.
But Arteta is eyeing more deals with the Gunners interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey and Lyon’s Houssem Aouar.
The Spaniard added: “We are still active in the market, we are looking at different options.
Arteta still wants to improve his midfield before next month’s transfer deadline
“We are active in the market with players in and out, at the moment the squad balance is not ideal.
“There is still some work to do, but we have to bear in mind the complications of this market.
“The complexity and as well the timing because you can see that clubs are behaving in many different ways and it is a bit uncertain how this is going to evolve in the next few weeks.
“Numbers-wise, some positions are overbooked. Some others, in terms of the specific qualities we need, are still not there.”
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Alexandre Lacazette, who was left out of the starting XI for Eddie Nketiah at times last season, has been linked an Emirates exit this summer with both Lyon and Atletico Madrid keen.
However, Arteta insists he is happy with the France forward.
He finished: “He is really happy here. He wants to keep improving and contributing to the team.
“I know how good he is and the impact he is having. The way he has been training and conducting himself has been excellent.”
Meanwhile, Arteta refused to comment on speculation linking goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with a £20million transfer to Aston Villa.
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