Arsenal first-team coach Mikel Arteta have opened up on his fear when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was yet to sign a new deal with the London club.
Aubameyang was a subject of speculations during this transfer window before he penned a new three years deal on Wednesday.
Arteta who succeeded Unai Emery as head coach in December and said he was concerned when he took over that Aubameyang would seek a move elsewhere.
“To be fair at the start, when I joined, I wasn’t as positive as I was in the last few weeks,” he said at a news conference on Friday.
“Obviously, financially we were in a position that it was difficult to get where we wanted to get.
I think Auba had his doubts as well at the time but things evolved in a natural way.
I had the feeling that the club wanted to move forward, I had the feeling that Auba wanted to stay here and we were just trying to apply those things together and that sometimes takes time. But the outcome is what we both wanted so we are happy.
“It was a big boost because everyone was hoping for Auba to stay but it was creating some uncertainty around the place and obviously it is great to finish that speculation, move on and find some more stability.
“Certainly I think it’s a decision that’s been received in a really positive way outside the football club and with a very clear direction that we want to maintain and look after our better players, as well as promoting and challenging our young players.”
The agreement brought to an end months of speculation during which Barcelona, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Juventus were linked with a move for the striker.
