Ian Wright believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be Arsenal’s most important signing this summer if the club can tie him down to a new contract.
The Gabon international’s future at the Emirates Stadium is the subject of plenty of speculation, with his contract set to expire next summer.
The Gunners are keen not to let another of their star players depart again, having seen it happen on more than a few occasions over the past few seasons.
There has been more confidence though that Aubameyang may commit his future to the club, with performances on the pitch improving under Mikel Arteta.
And, speaking to the BBC ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea, Arsenal legend Wright feels securing Aubameyang’s future will be more important than any new signings the club makes.
“I think when you look at his goals to games for Arsenal, and you try to look at Arsenal without him in it, especially in this transitional period, you’d have to say it’s a really poor position,” Wright said.
“He is everything about Arsenal, that focal point. He’s the kind of player that, once he gets that half chance, he’s taking it.
Asked whether his future depended on Arsenal winning the cup, Wright replied: “I don’t think so, because when you look and listen to the interviews that Mikel Arteta is doing, he seems very confident that he’s going to stay. He said he’s not worried about that when he was asked if he was going to stay.
“Even if Arsenal do lose, god forbid, he will be the most important signing that Arsenal make.”
