Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has finally put pen to paper on a bumper new Arsenal contract in what is a major boost for manager Mikel Arteta’s rebuilding project.
The 31-year-old has signed terms until 2023 worth an initial £250,000-a-week, but bonuses included in the contract can take it beyond the £350,000-a-week paid to highest earner Mesut Ozil.
“I signed da ting! It’s finally done, I am really really happy to be staying here,” Aubameyang said. “This is my home. It’s a great day. I want to become an Arsenal legend and leave a legacy. It’s the time to work a lot but for sure I will give my best, as always.
“Signing for this special club was never in doubt,’ he added. It’s thanks to our fans, my teammates, my family and everybody at this club that I feel like I belong here. I believe in Arsenal. We can achieve big things together. We have something exciting here and I believe the best is to come for Arsenal.”
Arsenal streamed a live video of Aubameyang on the Emirates pitch to confirm the news and the striker face-timed Ian Wright to celebrate.
“Thank you for signing,” Wright said. “Others have left us in the past but you stayed when we needed you most.”
Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January 2018 in a £56 million move from Borussia Dortmund and has scored a stunning 72 goals in 112 games.
And since Arteta took over as Arsenal manager in December last year, Aubameyang has been in electrifying form.
He led the Gunners to FA Cup glory which in turn landed them with a place in this season’s Europa League.
He also scored a stunning goal in Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Liverpool and found the net in their victory over Fulham on the opening day of the present Premier League season.
But at the end of the 2019-20 season, Aubameyang was coy over his long-term Arsenal future and wanted to see an ambitious summer of recruitment with Arteta at the helm.