Mikel Arteta completely shut down speculation over the futures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Granit Xhaka at Arsenal.
Both players hold key roles in Arteta’s resurgent Gunners side and the Spaniard wants to hold onto them. However, given the side’s poor results this season, plenty of news outlets claim Real Madrid and Barcelona are looking to pry away Aubameyang.
“I don’t even think about that possibility with Auba, I want him here,” Arteta said, as reported by Sky Sports. He also has the same stance on Xhaka, who’s agent confirmed a deal was in place with Hertha Berlin.
“I gave him my opinion, my perspective and told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective. I wanted his teammates to have his back and change his mind, because we need him,” the former Manchester City assistant manager insisted.
“I believe if we were able to do that then the fans would respond in a positive way. He can be a very important player for the club. I want him. I said to the club ‘no’ and I said to him ‘no’, after I cannot control what will happen.”
Aubameyang himself revealed that he has no plans on leaving Arsenal anytime soon. He told RMC, “The English press likes to talk a lot. For now, I’m here. I’m 100% here.”
His future at North London beyond this season is still uncertain. The Gabon international’s contract is due to end in another 18 months, making it a very dicey situation. Hopefully, Arteta can convince him into extending by the end of this campaign.
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