Mikel Arteta says ‘a lot of players’ want to join Arsenal

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Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that a lot of players want to join the club.

Arteta made the comments while discussing the future of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of next season, and no new deal is in place.

Arteta told Football.London when asked if returning to the Champions League would convince Aubameyang to stay: “I think that will help to persuade anybody, but we are very lucky to have the club that we have right behind us.

“There are a lot of players who want to come and join us, but it’s not just about who do we want to attract, it’s about how happy the players are that are here and how convinced they are that they’re at the right place because it’s almost our obligation to be fighting for every trophy and playing in the Champions League with this club.”

Encouraging for Arsenal fans

Arteta’s comments that players want to join Arsenal will be very encouraging for the fans.

After all, with a very real chance of no Champions League football at the Emirates Stadium next season, the Gunners’ supporters will be worried that the club may not be able to attract quality players.

However, based on Arteta’s comments, it seems that players want to move to Arsenal irrespective of their league table finish, and that is very encouraging indeed.

Edinson Cavani to Arsenal?

Meanwhile, former Tottenham striker Darren Bent has suggested that Arsenal should make a move for Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguay international striker is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the month and is available on a free transfer.

Bent told talkSPORT: “I’d probably take the next six weeks and try and convince him to stay. But if towards the end of that six weeks you can’t convince him then you’ve got to try and get as much money as you can [for him].

“Arsenal fans will be sick of seeing their star – and captain – leave again for nothing. And I’d look to maybe replace him with somebody who will be Arsenal’s centre-forward for the next five, ten years.

“But if that person isn’t out there then I’d look at someone like Cavani, who is coming out of contract now at PSG.”