On Sunday afternoon, Arsenal recorded a 3-2 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium. One of the heroes of the game was Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who grabbed a brace for the Gunners. The double took the striker to 17 top-flight goals for the season, joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.
Aubameyang’s contract is up in 2021
We all know that Aubameyang is a top striker who is prolific season after season in the top European leagues of the world. Prior to being prolific for Arsenal, he was prolific for Dortmund in the Bundesliga. He almost guarantees goals and there are few players in the game who offer such consistency. His performances and goals have led to comparisons to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
The problem for Arsenal is that Aubameyang’s contract expires in the summer of 2021. The Gunners have been stung by similar situations in the past. Players have left as free agents or for cut-price fees. Mesut Ozil also used the fact that he was out-of-contract to get a bumper contract worth around £350,000 per-week.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has recently talked about the need to tie down the forward to a new contract. If the two parties cannot come to some agreement, then the forward could well leave this summer, so the Gunners can recoup a fee.
There would be a big queue for Aubameyang this summer
If Arsenal put Aubameyang up for sale this summer there would be a massive queue of clubs looking to sign him. The fact that he is 30 is unlikely to deter clubs from making a move for the striker.
The experienced forward was previously linked with a move to Catalan giants Barcelona. My apologies to Arsenal, but that would be a great move for both parties. Aubameyang has the intelligence to play for a team like Barcelona, who will no doubt sign a high-profile forward next summer.
There has also been speculation that clubs in China are tracking the forward. Whether the lure of a big-money move to the Chinese Super League would appeal to the striker is unclear. Reports suggest that he is an ambitious player, so maybe making a move to China is unlikely to appeal to the forward.
If big European clubs did come in with bids for the striker this summer, then it would give Arsenal and the player a big decision to make.
Making the Champions League could change his mind
Arsenal kicked-off Sunday’s game in the bottom half of the Premier League table. However, the win over the Toffees moved them up to ninth-place. In truth, that middle of the table is so congested.
The Gunners are now just four points behind Manchester United, who are fifth-place, a position that would mean Champions League football next season. Mikel Arteta’s team are also now odds of 13/2 to finish in the top-five.
At this current moment, a top-five finish does not really look out Arsenal’s reach. The Gunners qualifying for the Champions League would sure help their chances of keeping hold their star striker. The striker is one of the best out-and-out forwards in the world game, so it is only understandable that he wants to play in the biggest competitions.
The picture will be a lot clearer surrounding Aubameyang’s future in the summer. It could really go either way. Arsenal must do their best to keep hold of their star forward, though.
Will Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still be an Arsenal player next season?
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