Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal won’t know what will happen with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future until the end of the season.

Speaking recently, Arteta said he was optimistic he could get the Gabon forward to stay, but after Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday, Arsenal’s Champions League hopes (and hopes of keeping Auba) now depend on climbing the league table quickly, others dropping points, and the CAS upholding Manchester City’s ban.

For his part, Auba is said to be feeling responsible after missing a late sitter that would have put Arsenal through. That makes a nice change as we don’t often hear about players feeling responsible for their part in whatever mess we’re in this week. He has certainly stepped up to the role of captain under Mikel Arteta in many ways I did not expect.

“He was [still] gutted,’ Arteta revealed. “Obviously he scored a wonder goal that was putting us through, and with the last kick of the game he had the best chance of the game.

“He felt very responsible about it, we will all try to be right behind him. He has been phenomenal all season for us and now the players have to support him.

“His reaction after the game — to face the media and the way he talked, it was very mature.”

And about Aubameyang’s future?  “I think we’ll know that in May, depending on where we finish, when we have a conversation with the club and a conversation with him.”