Arsenal look to put Aubameyang saga behind them as contract talks planned

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left Arsenal to join Barcelona in a deadline-day transfer and now the Gunners are looking to plan for the future after offloading their highest-earning player

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Arteta gives update on Arsenal’s transfer plans ahead of Deadline Day

Arsenal are looking to put the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saga behind them by handing new contracts to manager Mikel Arteta and young star Bukayo Saka.

The Gunners waved goodbye to Aubameyang on transfer deadline day, with the striker seeing his deal terminated which allowed him to sign for Barcelona after four years in north London.

Arteta had stripped Aubameyang, the club’s highest-earning player, of the captaincy in December and was keen to shift him on during the January window.

And now that the Gunners manager has got his wish, his bosses are looking to reward him at the end of what promises to be an exciting end to the season.

Arteta and Saka will both be offered new contracts by the Emirates hierarchy, as first reported by Football.London.

Join the debate! Who should Arsenal sign to replace Aubameyang? Let us know your pick below.

Saka, whose current terms see him tied down until June 2024, has been one of Arsenal’s star men this term and won Player of the Year for the previous campaign.

The 20-year-old boasts six goals and four assists in 21 Premier League games, coupling his club form by making himself a regular in Gareth Southgate ‘s England squad.

Arteta, meanwhile, heading into the last 18 months of his deal and club chiefs reportedly want to secure his future.

The Spaniard has a strong relationship with director Josh Kroenke, who was impressed with how Arteta has guided the Gunners through the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it will be head of football operations Richard Garlick who is tasked with negotiations, with football.london noting that talks are only likely to begin when the season ends in May.

Despite spending most of his time under pressure at the Emirates, Arteta was tipped as one of the favourites to take charge of boyhood club Barcelona following Ronald Koeman ‘s sacking in October.

The 39-year-old poured cold water on the speculation, however, saying: “I just hope everything works out well.”

Arteta, who came through Catalan club’s youth ranks before a distinguished playing career, added: “I am extremely happy at Arsenal and I feel privileged to be here.”

As far as Saka is concerned, recent transfer links to Liverpool never materialised in the January window and Arsenal see him as someone who can help bring the glory days back in a successful Gunners team.

“I think that’s great news when you have a lot of talk and people willing for you players, it’s a really good sign,” manager Arteta said in response to the links. “They should be proud because that means they are doing extremely good work.”

He added on Saka: “I am really happy with Bukayo, and with what he’s doing, with how he’s development and the importance he has on the team.

“Most importantly with the impact that he’s able to make in each game. This is something that we want to keep improving in each game, because he has the capacity to do it.”