What next for Arsenal and Aubameyang after FA Cup triumph?

"I want to build a squad around him. I want him to stay, it’s about getting the deal done." Mikel Arteta spoke highly of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the wake of Arsenal's FA Cup 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday. The Gabon international bagged a brace against the Blues as the Gunners came from behind to lift the FA Cup for a record-setting 14th time. 

Having netted twice in the semi-final 2-0 win over Manchester City, Aubameyang ended the season with four FA Cup goals in his two appearances in the competition; only Harry McKirdy (5) scored more this season. It was a tumultuous 2019/20 for the Gunners, with Arteta the third man to handle the Emirates Stadium reins, and to end with a piece of silverware is a testament to Arsenal's FA Cup calibre and the mental toughness instilled by Arteta. 

Now is the time to focus their attention on the looming campaign and a return to the Europa League, but there are more pressing matters at hand. Aubameyang's contract runs until next summer and, up until now, there had been no positive movements on the striker's stance over a possible stay. 

Rather than lose him on a free next summer, the Gunners would prefer to sell this year and attempt to make a profit on the free-scoring frontman. Indeed, Aubameyang has been linked with a host of Europe's top sides. Barcelona have been credited with an interest in the 31-year-old as a successor for Luis Suarez. Inter, too, had been a mooted destination for the former Dortmund hitman to replace Lautaro Martinez, who has also been linked with a move to Camp Nou. 

The options now are that Arsenal proceed with their possible decision to cash in on Aubameyang and use the funds raised to strengthen elsewhere or continue in their attempts to tie him down to a new long-term deal. While that would have seemed impossible months ago, particularly during the ill-fated final weeks of Unai Emery's reign of pain in north London, the FA Cup success may be the turning point Arsenal need to convince Aubameyang to sign a new contract at the Emirates. 

Conversely, supporters are worried Aubameyang will now elect to leave a hero with his head held high on the back of Saturday's success. Of course, Aubameyang will forever be considered an Arsenal great despite arriving just two-and-a-half years ago. No player has scored more Premier League goals than the Gunners man (54) since he made his debut back in February 2018 as he adjusted seamlessly to the rigours of English football. 

Now Arsenal's captain, it's understandable that Arteta wants to build the squad around him as he looks to the future and while he'll leave the off-field matters to Arsenal's negotiating team, the Spaniard will undoubtedly be keeping tabs on any developments, both positive and negative. 

Since Arteta's first game at the Arsenal helm on Boxing Day, Aubameyang's WhoScored rating (7.16) is better than any Gunners player. The two, would you believe, are perfect for one another, even if the latter has been used largely out wide rather than through the middle by the former. This is due to Arteta's decision to swap to a three-man defence and while he has options to use on the left and push Aubameyang through the middle, the Gabonese forward has a better WhoScored rating on the left (7.33) than through as a centre forward (6.85) this season. 

Clearly Aubameyang is prepared to play the wide role even at a detriment to his possible goal return, something that may not have been feasible prior to Arteta's appointment. Yet at 31 years of age, the striker is aware that time is not on his side as he seeks to bolster his winners' medal haul. Inter have more chance of winning Serie A, and Barcelona are in a better position to reclaim LaLiga, than Arsenal are of finishing first in the Premier League, at least in the immediate future. 

There is an array of young talent coming through the ranks to excite supporters, but they need nurturing to build as a unit and while the FA Cup success is a boost, the collective must gel if Arsenal are to finish the best team in England, and now it is about whether Aubameyang is prepared to wait for that chance or search for opportunities elsewhere. In this regard, it's another reason why Arteta wants to build his new Arsenal squad around him as he looks to an experienced head to take the club into the next era. 

Crucial, then, will be how the club acts in the transfer market this summer. Arteta worked wonders to coax the best out of a squad that largely had minimal changes from Emery's final days as he forged a working midfield partnership of Dani Ceballos and Granit Xhaka and improved a defence that conceded just 21 goals in 20 games under the watchful eye of the 38-year-old. But without the right investment, Arsenal will stagnate and a player of Aubameyang's calibre won't stick around for long as he looks to make the most of the twilight years of his career.