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Arsenal complete club-record Aubameyang transfer
The Gunners have finally succeeded in landing Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with the club statement reading:
"The 28-year-old has joined us from Borussia Dortmund on a long-term contract for a club-record fee.This deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and Auba’s squad number will be confirmed shortly."
Dortmund sporting director, Michael Zorc wished the Gabon international for his future and said:
"Apart from the unpleasant events of recent weeks, we like to remember that the story of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at BVB for more than four years was a single success story."
"He has done great things for Borussia Dortmund at this time, scored many important goals and is part of the team that brought the DFB Cup to Dortmund in 2017. We wish Pierre-Emerick all the best for his future at Arsenal."
Meanwhile, for devoted followers of the club's Twitter account, the deal was accidentally announced during Wenger's post-match press conference on Tuesday after the 3-1 loss at Swansea where the interviewer talks about Aubameyang being an Arsenal player and the Arsenal boss replied:
"Yes it's good news. We need people that can give us more offensive power, at the moment we are not efficient enough going forward and I'm convinced he will bring us that."
"He has a big challenge in front of him, he wants to do well in the Premier League and overall I believe he is welcome and that's absolutely good news for us."
The deal is set to be around £56 million and he received wishes from fellow Bundesliga marksman, Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, who competed with Aubameyang for the Golden Boot season after season.
Thus, Arsenal can be considered winners in this transfer window, having sold wantaway Alexis Sanchez and signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan along with Aubameyang in the window.
Mesut Ozil reportedly signs a new contract
The German was in the final six months of his Arsenal contract and there were fears among the Gunners faithful that the 29-year-old will follow a similar path like Alexis Sanchez, who left the Emirates to join Manchester United. However, the fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the World Cup winner has committed his future to Arsenal, as per BBC journalist, David Ornstein.
As per Ornstein, the former Real Madrid star is set to stay in North London until 2021 and in the process, becomes the highest paid player in the club's history. Ozil is set to earn around £350,000 a week and will now stay at Arsenal for eight years at the end of his new contract.
This news continues to show the successful window Arsenal are having compared to December when the situation looked gloomy with the club's best players in Ozil and Sanchez nearing the end of their contracts. Now, Ozil will join the likes of Mkhitaryan, Lacazette, and Aubameyang in a brilliant attacking force, giving Arsenal a huge boost going into the business end of the season.
Ian Wright slams possible Giroud move to Chelsea
The Frenchman is tipped to join rivals Chelsea on deadline day with the Blues expected to complete their search for Alvaro Morata's strike partner for this season. The 31-year-old is set to cost Antonio Conte's side around £19 million and will be eligible to play in the Champions League.
While the arrival of Aubameyang can be expected to ease the deal and cover up the loss, Gunners legend, Ian Wright, is having none of it. He told on BBC Radio 5 Live:
"Why would they sell him? It doesn't make sense. It really would be like lose a tenner, find a fiver. You are talking about bringing on Danny Welbeck, or if Lacazette's not playing then him. We haven't got that guy that's proven off the bench to come on and score goals.”
Wright does make a valid point of Giroud being a brilliant option off the bench. However, the player is well-served moving to Chelsea, where he can stake a claim to play in the World Cup with more playing time.
