Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang signs new three-year deal

Captain finally signs-up with the Gunners after months of speculation, saying he wants to become a club 'legend'

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang kisses the FA Cup after the 2-1 win over Chelsea in 2020. AFP

Arsenal players react after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drops the FA Cup during the celebrations. Getty

Arsenal's Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (L) and coach Mikel Arteta hold the winner's trophy. AFP

Mikel Arteta holds the FA Cip aloft. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium in north London. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium in north London. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium in north London. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans and a lone Chelsea supporter outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta poses with Dani Ceballos, right, and Eddie Nketiah. AP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium. AFP

Arsenal fans celebrate outside the Emirates stadium in north London. AFP

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta celebrates victory. AFP

Arsenal's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez wears an "Always Forward" shirt at the end of the FA Cup final. AP

Arsenal players pose after the FA Cup final. AP

Mikel Arteta with the FA Cup at Wembley. AFP

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge watches the FA Cup final with former Arsenal player Tony Adams at the Sandringham Estate. Getty

The FA Cup sits in the pitch surrounded by Arsenal players. Getty

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, centre, and teammates pose with the FA Cup. AP

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has signed a new three-year deal with the Premier League club.

The announcement on Tuesday puts an end to months of speculation over his potential exit as the attacker entered the final year of his contract.

Aubameyang's decision to stay with the Gunners will be a major boost to manager Mikel Arteta who said he wanted to build the squad around the Gabon international after they defeated Chelsea last month to win the FA Cup.

Arteta recently told fans to "relax" as he grew increasingly confident that a deal would be struck between the club and the man who has finished as their top scorer in his two full seasons in north London.

"Arsenal fans, finally as you know I just signed the thing," he said in a live Instagram stream from the Emirates Stadium.

Over 109,000 people were watching the stream via the official Arsenal account, with Aubameyang adding: "I signed the thing because I want to become an Arsenal legend, maybe leave a legacy, it is the time to work a lot.

"For sure, I will give my best, as always, so yes, I have just signed the thing. Hopefully you are happy and I can't wait to see you in this beautiful stadium again."

He was then joined on the call by former Arsenal striker Ian Wright and his current team-mate Alexandre Lacazette, who praised his decision to sign the contract.

Aubameyang moved to Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 – for a then-club record fee of £56 million (Dh264.5m).

He has since gone on to score 72 goals across 111 games in all competitions, including the last in Saturday's 3-0 Premier League opening day victory at Fulham.

He has now committed to a further three years with the club and Arteta was pleased to get the deal sorted.

"It was important for Pierre-Emerick to stay with us," he said. "He's a superb player with an incredible mentality. Being the player to have taken the least amount of time to reach 50 goals with this club tells you everything you need to know about him and his way of working."

British media were reporting that Aubameyang's deal sees his earnings jump to £250,000-a-week but including bonuses could take it beyond the £350,000-a-week paid to highest earner Mesut Ozil.

The 2015 African Footballer of the Year was made captain in November after Arteta's predecessor Unai Emery stripped midfielder Granit Xhaka of the role.

This summer Arsenal have signed Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes for £23m) from Lille, brought in former Chelsea winger Willian on a free transfer and re-signed Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid.

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Player ratings for Arsenal's win at Fulham