Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year contract with Arsenal.
The 31-year-old's deal had been due
to expire at the end of the season, but he has now ended speculation by
extending his stay at the Emirates.
The
Arsenal captain scored in their opening day 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday,
with first-team manager Mikel Arteta hinting after the match a new
contract was close.
"Signing for this special
club was never in doubt," Aubameyang said. "It's thanks to our fans,
my team-mates, my family and everybody at this club that I feel like I belong
here.’’
"I believe in Arsenal. We can
achieve big things together. We have something exciting here and I believe the
best is to come for Arsenal."
Arteta
added: "It was important for Pierre-Emerick to stay with us. He's a superb
player with an incredible mentality. Being the player to have taken the least
amount of time to reach 50 goals with this club tells you everything you need
to know about him and his way of working.
"He's
an important leader for the team and a big part of what we're building. He
wants to be up there with the best players in the world and leave his mark. He
can achieve that here."
Aubameyang
scored 22 goals in the Premier League last season and netted twice in Arsenal’s2-1
win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final to secure their place in the Europa
League.
The Gabon forward also scored - and
converted the winning spot-kick in a penalty shootout - as Arsenal beat
Liverpool to win the Community Shield.
Since
his move to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, he has scored 55
goals in 86 Premier League games.
Technical
director Edu said: "It's clear Auba loves the club and everything we stand
for on and off the pitch. He's obviously a very important part of the team so
we're all delighted he has committed his future to us. It's a big boost for
everyone - fans, team-mates and staff."
‘’ I want to leave a legacy at Arsenal’’
After announcing the extension via
a live steam on the club's Instagram and Twitter accounts, Aubameyang stated
his desire to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Tony Adams
and Dennis Bergkamp and become an Arsenal legend.
"Of
course I knew about Arsenal before I arrived, everybody knows how special this
club is," Aubameyang said.
"I've
seen incredible players. Passionate players. Invincible players. I dream of
being one of them, amongst the best, and staying in the hearts of the fans forever.
"I
want to become an Arsenal legend, just like Thierry, Wrighty, Adams and
Bergkamp. Too many to mention.’’
"My
dad is my biggest inspiration and he was captain of his club and his country,
so it means so much to me to be the captain of this special club. I want to
leave a legacy; this is where I belong. This is my family," he said.