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Football London
Football London
Sport
Lee Wilmot

Mikel Arteta reveals when Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will open new contract talks

The subject of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's future at Arsenal continues to make headlines.

The Gabonese striker is the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with 17 goals, having shared the Golden Boot last season.

He is often the man Arsenal fans look to when they need digging out of a hole, and he often delivers.

But where does his future lie?

The 30-year-old will enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium at the end of this season and a decision will have to be made about his future.

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There have been widespread reports of talks over his current contract and extending it in north London, but there has never been any breakthrough.

And with 2020/21 being the final year on his current deal, Arsenal are facing up to the very real possibility of losing him for free next summer.

Aubameyang will have no shortage of suitors in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona previously linked with a move for him.

The frontman will be in the Arsenal team for the London derby against West Ham United on Saturday, barring an injury, and head coach Mikel Arteta has once again been asked about his captain's future ahead of that game.

And he revealed that the club would be sitting down to discuss terms with Aubameyang in the coming weeks.

He said: "We will have to do that [sit down with him] at some stage before the end of the season. I want to keep him in any circumstances."

Aubameyang scored, but missed a glorious chance during the Europa League exit to Olympiacos last week and Arteta has had to pick his captain up ahead of the Hammers clash.

He added: "He was down and felt responsible about what happened [vs Olympiacos]. We need him happy and smiling and that’s what he’s been these few days."

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