Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s stance on leaving Arsenal this summer - EXCLUSIVE
Posted Friday, August 20, 2021 by Express.co.uk
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will stay at the Emirates beyond the summer transfer window.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is happy at Arsenal and wants to fulfil his objective of becoming a club legend. Aubameyang has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent days but Express Sport understands that story is nonsense. The 32-year-old made a commitment to Arsenal by signing a new contract and he wants to see that through.
Aubameyang ended speculation over his future by signing a new three-year contract at the Emirates last September.
But the former Borussia Dortmund star then went on to have his worst goalscoring campaign at Arsenal, netting 15 times in all competitions.
His form was largely affected by fitness problems and personal matters.
Aubameyang played through injury at times and also missed matches due to his mother being ill.
Arsenal transfer news: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not be leaving the Gunners this summer (Image: GETTY)
He then contracted malaria while on international duty with Gabon and he later revealed he lost 4kg during his battle against the illness.
Arsenal could only finish eighth in the Premier League and missed out on European qualification for the first time in 26 years.
Fans will have been hoping last season was just a blip for Aubameyang and that he could rediscover the form he showed in leading the Gunners to their record 14th FA Cup triumph last year.
But he was unable to score in Arsenal’s six pre-season matches and missed the first game of the Premier League campaign against Brentford last Friday due to illness.
The Gunners fell to a disappointing defeat without their captain, with the Bees running out 2-0 winners.
There has been speculation since that loss that Barcelona are interested in Aubameyang and are willing to offer Philippe Coutinho in a swap deal.
But Express Sport has learnt there is no chance of that deal happening.
Aubameyang is focused on returning to full fitness and wants to build on what he has already achieved in north London.
He has scored 85 goals in 148 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Dortmund in January 2018.
After putting pen to paper on his new contract last year, Aubameyang stated his desire to emulate former Gunners legends.
He said last September: "Everybody knows how special this club is, I have seen incredible players, passionate players, Invincible players.
"I dream of being one of them, among the best, and staying in the hearts of the fans forever.
"I want to become an Arsenal legend just like Thierry [Henry], Wrighty [Ian Wright], [Tony] Adams and [Dennis] Bergkamp - too many to mention.”
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