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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is \u201cpretty positive\u201d of signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a new deal but admits the club must persuade the striker of his importance and their own ambition.<\/p>\nArsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is \u201cpretty positive\u201d of signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to a new deal but admits the club must persuade the striker of his importance and their own ambition.<\/p>\n
Aubameyang\u2019s deal expires next summer and he was quoted this week saying he felt at \u201ca turning point\u201d in his career.<\/p>\n
The Gabon international has no shortage of admirers should he decide his future lies elsewhere but Arteta thinks an extended stay at the Emirates can be achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have many discussions with Pierre, with his family and his agent. I\u2019m pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties,\u201d said Arteta, whose side return to Premier League action against his previous employers Manchester City on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career. In order to do that he needs to feel valued, he needs to feel he belongs to us and that we want him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe really needs to believe we can take this club forward in the way we want to and he\u2019s going to be a key part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aubameyang\u2019s output since joining the Gunners in 2018 has been of the highest standard, with 61 goals in 97 appearances, leading to reported interest from a host of top clubs.<\/p>\n
Despite that, and the opaque comments recently attributed to the player in the foreign press, Arteta has seen no suggestion that his head has been turned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think at the moment I am extremely happy with how he\u2019s been performing and behaving,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a really good relationship with him and we can discuss face to face a lot of things. So far as I\u2019m aware I think he\u2019s very happy at the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Arteta suggested the coronavirus shutdown had played at least some part in the slow progress of negotiations, adding: \u201cIn a different context we\u2019d have liked to do things much quicker but obviously it is unprecedented times.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat brings a lot of uncertainty. But things are getting clearer and clearer every day that we are a step closer to getting back playing football and we want to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n