Arsenal ought to be looking to retain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s services this summer in spite of whether or not he commits to a brand new contract, says Paul Merson.

Discussions concerning fresh terms at Emirates sports stadium for the prolific frontman have so far come to nothing.

His current deal is due to come to an finish once the 2020-21 campaign reaches its conclusion.

If no extension is in agreement by that time, then
Aubameyang will drop into the free agent pool.

Merson considers that to be no unhealthy thing, given the Gabonese’s age, and feels Arsenal ought to be challenging their club captain to deliver Champions League football before moving on.

The former Gunners forward told Sky Sports : “I thought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be about thirty one, thirty two once he left, and if i was Arsenal i would keep him within the summer.

“I’d keep him and say, you know what, offer him what and acquire next year and obtain us into the Champions League and you’ll be able to go for free. It’s exhausting to get goals, and he is a natural scorer.

“Gabriel Martinelli may well be a top player and i like him, however if I keep Aubameyang I’ve got 15-20 goals, and that is some doing.

“To ask Martinelli to return in and do that, you couldn’t ask that. we expect these players are twenty two or twenty three, however at eighteen to do it in this league, i am a big fan of his, it’s just all about timing.”

Mikel Arteta is the man charged with the task of making a cheerful camp in north London and guiding Arsenal back up the Premier League table.

He has created a positive impact thus far , with Merson pleased to see the Gunners becoming tougher to break down after years of being way too soft at their centre.

The ex- England international added: “Arteta’s not going to come in and tell [Mesut] Ozil the way to play a pass, however Arsenal are the worst team in the Premier League without the ball over the last ten years and that is what he is attempting to change.

“Hard work is all it is. ask any soccer fan what they need, and all they want is players to get on that pitch and work their socks off.

“I played against one amongst the most effective teams of all time in AC Milano. [Franco] Baresi, [Paolo] Maldini, all that lot. you could not believe how exhausting they worked. They were world-class players, but they worked even harder.”

Arsenal are back in action on Sunday when they play host to Newcastle.