KEY POINTS

  • Mikel Arteta is aware that Arsenal must start the negotiations with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 
  • The Gunners are considering Jonathan Davis if they lose Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette
  • Lacazette seems to be happy playing for the Gunners

Arsenal knows that it needs to act fast if they are to make sure that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be staying at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gabon captain’s current pact is due to expire in 15 months, and there is no assurance yet on whether he will remain a Gunner.

It was previously mentioned that contract talks with the 31-year-old striker will only commence this coming summer.

However, that could be cutting it close considering Arsenal will only have about a year to close a new deal with the Gabonese.

But as far as head coach Mikel Arteta is concerned, negotiations to secure the services of Aubameyang must start now.

The longer they wait could prove detrimental to their chances of keeping the Gabonese footballer.

Arteta spoke on the matter ahead of the English Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday.

“I will see the intentions that we have, his intentions,” the Gunners manager stated. “And where we are sitting at that moment I think it is difficult to predict that context right now. For me it’s very easy, I want to keep him in any circumstances.”

So far, it remains to be seen if Aubameyang will be staying put. But if the Gabon national walks, Arsenal appears to have a target in mind already in Jonathan David.

The 20-year-old is reportedly eyed by the Gunners as a potential replacement if they should lose one of their top two strikers after this season.

Other than Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette is also nearing the end of his two-year deal with Arsenal.

Like the former, talks between the Gunners and the Frenchman have been stalled although he expressed his delight with tenure in North London.

Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang demolished Leeds
Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang demolished Leeds POOL / Catherine Ivill

Another player that the Gunners need to address is Dani Ceballos. He is due to return from Real Madrid on loan, where he has shown remarkable improvement.

There is no permanent clause in the agreement with Real Madrid, so seeing the 23-year-old return and play for the Gunners is a big possibility.

“I’m really happy with Dani and what he’s bringing to the team right now. It took him a while after his injury to get to the level that he has and that I’ve seen in the past,” Arteta shared.

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