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(Reuters) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang said he was contemplating leaving Arsenal, but opted to extend his contract after manager Mikel Arteta revitalized the Premier League club and told him he could leave a legacy at Emirates Stadium.
Aubameyang, Arsenal’s top scorer in the past two seasons, signed a new three-year deal last week, ending speculation about a possible exit when he entered the final year of his previous contract at the north London club. .
Arteta made an instant impact at Arsenal following his appointment last season with the club winning the FA Cup and qualifying for the Europa League and Aubameyang said his belief in the Spaniard’s philosophy had helped him change his mind.
“Two things persuaded me to stay,” Aubameyang told Sky Sports. “The first thing was Mikel Arteta, because since he entered he has brought us a lot of positivity and a new philosophy.
“I think it was important because it coincided with my game and I feel that I can improve with it. I think that was the key factor and also the love I receive from the fans and the whole club.”
Aubameyang’s decision to stay at Arsenal was a huge boost for Arteta, who said after winning the FA Cup that he wanted to build the team around the Gabon forward.
Arteta had admitted earlier this month that he feared losing his captain, and major European clubs such as Barcelona and AC Milan reported showing interest in the 31-year-old, who said he was considering his options.
“I was thinking about (leaving Arsenal), to tell the truth, because I also had good opportunities,” added Aubameyang.
“… (Arteta said) ‘Of course you can go and go for trophies in big clubs too, but I think you can create a legacy here at this great club.’
(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Chennai, written by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; edited by Toby Davis)
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