Arsenal: It’s obvious why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is waiting

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyan’s contract situation is bubbling, but it’s clear what he’s waiting for, so the ball is in Arsenal’s court either way.

As we’ve known all year, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has to make a decision this year about whether or not he wants to stay at Arsenal. And, for the record, there’s no indication if the club has made any offers or anything yet either. But a decision has to be made one way or the other.

While Aubameyang is certainly happy here, he loves the badge, the fans, and his teammates. But there are certain things that all elite players need at some point—they need to be at the highest competitive level. And that means being in the Champions League.

This is something we knew when we signed Alexandre Lacazette. We’d have to get back to the Champions League if we wanted to keep him happy.

That situation has changed a bit, but what hasn’t changed is Aubameyang still being elite and Arsenal still struggling to find a way back into that elitist competition.

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Aubameyang is almost certainly waiting to see if the Gunners can be counted on to be his club in the Champions League, or if he needs to go elsewhere to play there again. On the one hand, I don’t blame him. He’s over 30 now. It’s time to get back to where he wants to be because time is ticking.

On the other hand, it is kind of annoying, knowing that players are willing to ditch clubs they love in order to win trophies. But that’s the case in every sport, so I guess I should just get over it.

In the meantime, things are looking up for the prospectus of getting back into the Champions League. The Gunners sit just four points being fifth place which, thanks to Manchester City debauchery, is likely enough to earn a berth in the Champions League.

Plus, of the teams ahead of them, Arsenal are the only club not to have registered a loss in the past five matches. Ground is being gained, consistency is being found, and despite the setback in the Europa League, there’s still plenty of hope to be found in a top-five finish.

I haven’t always been in favor of giving Aubameyang a contract extension, but I’m being won over by how well he handles playing left wing and still looking as happy as can be. Not to mention how well he handles all the youngsters.