Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to extend Aubameyang contract |

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal need to sit down with captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang before the end of the season and thrash out a new deal.

With some of Europe’s elite clubs reportedly showing an interest, Arsenal will be keen to tie their talisman down to a new contract and avoid losing him on a free as they did with Aaron Ramsey last year.

Now Arteta has urged those talks to take place sooner rather than later to make sure they keep hold of the Gabon striker, who currently earns £200,000 per-week.

“We will have to do that at some stage before the end of the season for sure and we will see the intentions that we have (and) his intentions,” Arteta said.

“Where we are sitting in (the table at) that moment. I think it is difficult to predict that context right now. For me it is very easy. I want to keep him under any circumstances.”

Arsenal return to EPL action this weekend when they welcome West Ham United to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.