Arsenal told Aubameyang deserves Sh70 million-a-week contract
Football
By
Mirror
| Aug 03, 2020
Arsenal are ready to hand Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a new £250k-a-week deal.
But former midfielder Perry Groves insists he would have no issue if the Gunners captain was given DOUBLE that figure.
Aubameyang, 31, is into the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
And he served notice of his quality with a match-winning display in the FA Cup final, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday.
Arsenal are desperate for him to commit his long-term future, and are offering a three-year deal to the Gabonese striker.
READ MORE
Doctors set 90-day ultimatum for pay talks, warn of strike
Kenya, Italy adopt four-year cooperation plan after Ruto-Meloni talks
Gunners boss Arteta believes he has sold his vision for the future to Aubameyang, building a team that can challenge for honours around the ex-Borussia Dortmund hitman.
Asked about keeping Aubameyang after the final, Arteta said: “By winning trophies he will be closer to that the longer he stays there. Hopefully we can have him for longer.
“The biggest problem was to convince him to work the way he was working.
"He was going to get more reward and more respect, and our respect would go to admiration. Admiration from his team-mates and the people who have been with him and also from the fans.
“It (goalscoring) is the most difficult thing in football, he makes it look simple.”
The striker knows that he is in a fine bargaining position after his exploits in the cup success - having also struck a double in the semi-final - ensured a place in next season’s Europa League.
He himself refused to address his immediate future after the final, but Groves saysArsenal must do whatever is required to keep him - simply because he’s worth it.
"I don't care as an Arsenal fan, and I know we're in difficult financial times, but if they said Aubameyang is on £400,000, £500,000 a week, it wouldn't bother me at all because some players warrant it," Groves told TalkSPORT.
"Some players warrant it and he does because he delivers.
“Fans get the hump with players that get a lot of money and don't deliver and don't look like they care."
Groves also insists that winning the FA Cup means more than finishing second in the Premier League - despite the latter ensuring Champions League football.
"I think your club's history is made by the trophies you win," he continued.
"I’d rather win the FA Cup than finish second in the Premier League because those players there, they have now embellished themselves on Arsenal's history. Arsenal fans will remember that game and that group of players.
"If you come second, third or fourth [in the league] no-one really remembers you - you're not part of the fabric of that football club."