Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta remains 'positive' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will sign new contract

Mikel Arteta remains “positive” that Arsenal can keep hold of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer and tie him down to a new contract.

The striker scored twice on Wednesday as the Gunners beat Norwich 4-0 to take his tally of Premier League goals to 51.

Aubameyang is the fastest player in Arsenal's history to reach such a landmark and has got to the milestone quicker than the likes of Thierry Henry.

The 31-year-old, however, is still yet to sign a new deal and his current contract is due to expire next year.

In Pictures | Arsenal vs Norwich City | 01/07/2020

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But Arteta remains hopeful that Aubameyang could stay put and follow Bukayo Saka by signing a new contract.

“What he has achieved today to be the fastest to score 50 in the whole history of this club tells you everything about his mentality, and the way he works every day,” said Arteta.

“A player that is able to score as many goals as he has done in that short space of time tells you everything about the importance that he has for us.

In Pictures | Bukayo Saka signs new Arsenal contract | 01/07/2020

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“Players that can make the difference in any moment in the game every three days in competitions. That is a big task and he has done that at different clubs.

“He is willing to stay with us. He is really happy where he is. He can see what we are trying to do and hopefully he can evolve as well some parts of his game he might feel he can improve. We are pushing him every day.

“Auba knows really well what my thoughts are towards him and the project that I want to create, and how much he is part of that.

“And after that it is not in my hands. I am positive and I will remain positive until we can keep him here for many years. But things have to progress.”

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

While Aubameyang was able to help Arsenal secure a convincing win that pushed them up to seventh in the Premier League, midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was absent again.

The Frenchman has not played since his altercation with Brighton striker Neal Maupay last month and Arteta said: “Things have to change and nothing has changed.”

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