Mikel Arteta has dismissed reports claiming that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has agreed to leave Arsenal in order to join Barcelona.
Earlier this week, reports in Spain claimed that Aubameyang has already been in contact with Barcelona and has told the Spanish club that he would be willing to join them.
The 30-year-old will have just one year left on his contract at the end of the season, and the striker has reportedly told the Gunners that he is keen to leave in order to boost his chances of winning a major trophy.
But Arteta is adamant that Aubameyang is happy at Arsenal and the striker is not looking to leave.
When asked about Aubameyang’s latest link with Barcelona, Arteta replied: ‘As far as I know, I think a week ago, we were discussing that he said he was so happy, that he didn’t agree with the things that were being written in the media, that he has his future here.
‘I’m so happy with that so that’s where I’m standing at the moment.’
Arteta also admitted he was uncertain whether Arsenal will complete a signing before the end of the transfer window.
‘At the moment I am 50/50 because this transfer [window] is very complicated and I only want to bring somebody in if I’m convinced he can really improve the level that we have,’ he said.
On Dani Ceballos absence, Arteta said: “I had a conversation with Dani. When I joined the club he wasn’t here. He was in Madrid because he was doing his rehab for over a month with the team that owns him.
“When I came here he was doing his rehab in the first two or three weeks, getting back to fitness and I haven’t seen much of him because he only trained with us for a week or 10 days.
“It’s very early to assess what I can or cannot do with him. I heard about all those things but I have nothing to comment.
“He needs to get back to fitness and fight for his place like any other player. After that we will make a selection that is fair with what I see on the pitch.”
