Mikel Arteta is confident Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will extend his contract with Arsenal, based on his understanding of negotiations.

Speaking to the media this week, Mikel Arteta sounded positive about the chances of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang deciding to extend his current contract with Arsenal.

After his two goals against Manchester City at the weekend, Aubameyang is up to 25 for the season. He’s clearly a key part of the squad and the current captain of the group, but he only has a contract until 2021.

Arteta admits he doesn’t know when Arsenal and Aubameyang will reach a decision on his future, but he thinks everything is heading in the right direction.

“I don’t know, to put a date right now is very difficult,” Arteta said. “I like the way the conversations are going, I like what I’m hearing. I’m sure for both parties, the quicker we can do it, the better for everyone. I am confident he will extend his stay.

“He’s generally happy. I think he is enjoying his football. He is settled in the country and his family are good. I think he can sense – and we’ve told him – how much we like him, how much we value him.

“The connection he has with the fans is unique. I believe he is in the perfect place for him. Everything I have from him and the people around him is the same. So I don’t have any arguments to say something different.”

There are still no guarantees. Aubameyang is in a strong negotiating position given his consistent goalscoring output and expiring contract. In the end, it’s going to come down to whatever he decides he wants to do.

If Arsenal can make it back into Europe, even the Europa League, I think he may well extend. With (some) money for new signings and Mikel Arteta in charge, Aubameyang would surely feel confident about the future. But it’s a big ‘if’, with three games left.