Mikel Arteta is feeling positive Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will sign a new Arsenal contract.
Two strikes for the Gabon international during the 4-0 demolition of Norwich meant he overtook Thierry Henry as the quickest to 50 Premier League goals for the Gunners.
Aubameyang has scored 63 goals in 101 games in all competitions now
Aubameyang’s future is a source of constant speculation, given he is yet to sign a new contract and just one year remains on his current deal.
But Gunners boss Arteta remains hopeful the 31-year-old will extend his stay at the Emirates.
Asked if he believes his star striker will remain at the club, Arteta replied: “I am very positive with that.
“Every time I speak with him he is really happy where he is, he is very settled and his family are happy. Hopefully he will be on board for a long time.”
He added: “He can see what we are trying to do and hopefully he can evolve as well some parts of his game he might feel he can improve. We are pushing him every day.
“I leave that to the football club and the senior people that finalise the contracts.
Arteta is desperate for Aubameyang to stay
“Auba knows really well what my thoughts are towards him and the project that I want to create, and how much he is part of that. And after that it is not in my hands.
“I am very clear in my decision, I want to keep him here, I want to keep him happy, I want to keep him believing that what we’re doing here is the right thing and he can have an enjoyment here.
“Hopefully we can do it.”
And Arteta insists he did not need reminding of the Aubameyang’s talents despite a dry patch before the victory over Norwich.
The Spaniard added: “People push him and he loves that. He’s very critical of himself, in the way he trains and tries to be the first in the history of the club to achieve 50 goals.
“It’s a really difficult task, so all the merit and congratulations to him for what he’s done. I know how good he is, he doesn’t need to convince me with more goals.”
Doubts remain over Aubameyang’s future
Arsenal were back to their fluent best on Wednesday night, with goals from Granit Xhaka and Cedric Soares adding to Aubameyang’s double.
And Arteta suggests his ideas are finally starting to translate into performances on the pitch.
“The first 43 minutes were exactly what I wanted – we were really good in our high press, we put pressure on the areas we wanted the ball,” Arteta said.
“We did a lot of things with the ball that we talked about.
“I’m disappointed with the way we competed in the last two minutes [of the first-half] and at the start of the second-half because we gave things to the opponent.
“The reaction was much better and I’m happy with the points.”