Aubameyang desperate to take Arsenal back to the top

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang smiles on the substitute's bench ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group F football match between Arsenal and Standard Liege at the Arsenal Stadium in London on October 3, 2019. AFP

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has said he remains committed to the club and wants to help them challenge for major honours, dispelling speculation that the Gabon striker might want to leave the misfiring north London side.

Arsenal sit 10th in the Premier League after 21 games, nine points adrift of the Champions League qualifying places.

"People like making up stories and they should focus on what's happening on the pitch. They talk too much and it does my head in!" Aubameyang wrote in the match programme ahead of the FA Cup third round tie at home to Leeds United on Monday.

"I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs", he added.

Aubameyang has yet to sign an extension to his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, which runs until 2021.

He joined the club in January 2018 for a then-record fee for the Gunners of 56 million pounds ($74 million).

Aubameyang was left out of the Arsenal lineup for the Leeds match due to illness, manager Mikel Arteta told the BBC.