LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (14) and Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrate victory after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on April 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal Gossip

Arsenal prepared to fight to keep 2 main stars

Jun 15, 2019

Arsenal are set to offer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette new deals with better wages in order to keep the pair at the club amid interest from around the globe.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette were two of Arsenal’s few standout players last season and, as such, both have been linked with a move away this summer.

In order to stop that happening Arsenal are preparing to up the player’s wages significantly. Lacazette is currently on £182kpw with a deal that expires in 2022 while Auba is on £200kpw until 2021.

It is claimed their wages could go up to over £200kpw which it would have to, especially in the case of Aubameyang as that’s what he reportedly earns at present.

This, of course, is not new news. It was first reported in mid-May but it seems as if the club could be gearing up to get negotiations started, hence the reappearance of the report in the media.

Aubameyang was Arsenal’s main man in front of goal, scoring 31 and assisting eight last season. Though he missed his fair share of big chances, the fact they kept falling his way is a testament to his intelligent movement, regardless of where he plays and which teammates are supporting him in attack.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Mesut Ozil at full-time of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Mesut Ozil at full-time of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

For the striker’s first full season in the Premier League, Arsenal fans couldn’t have asked for much more. Not many players will score 22 league goals and win the Golden Boot in their first year in England.

Lacazette may not have scored quite as many as Aubameyang, with 19 goals and 11 assists so far, but he was crucial to what little success Arsenal had last season and was rightly voted Arsenal fans’ Player of the Season.

There’s no doubting the striker in the big games, as he scored seven and assisted four against the big six, Napoli and Valencia this campaign. He also won a penalty against Manchester United, and he forced an own goal at Old Trafford, so those 11 goal contributions in the big matches don’t even tell the whole story.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

As well as direct goal contributions, Lacazette has shown his worth to the team through his excellent work rate without possession and his ever-improving link-up play. He was voted the Arsenal fans’ Player of the Season and with good reason.

The best part of Lacazette’s performances is that he’s worked so well with Aubameyang and built such a strong relationship with his strike partner. Let’s hope for more of the same next year, after one last push in the Europa League final.

Whatever Arsenal can do to keep the pair together should be encouraged.