Mikel Arteta confident Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will still be delivering for Arsenal in two years’ time

Mikel Arteta believes Jamie Vardy’s fine form this season is proof Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will still be delivering in two years’ time as Arsenal continue contract talks with their captain.

Aubameyang’s current deal is due to expire in a year’s time and he is still yet to agree fresh terms.

Arteta views the forward as a key part of his rebuild at Arsenal, but some outside the club have questioned whether a lucrative, long-term contract can be given to a player who turned 31 last month.

Arteta, however, believes Aubameyang still has plenty to offer and the form of 33-year-old Vardy, who Arsenal will face tonight when they take on Leicester, shows that.

Vardy is the top scorer in the Premier League this season and when asked by Standard Sport if he was proof Aubameyang could still be performing in two years, Arteta said: “Absolutely.

“I would like to see where Leicester were today without Vardy in the last three years.

“So I think it is a really good example to consider at least. And, as well, considering both players they are always available.

“They are players that are so resilient and they are able to play 50, 55 games every year and they have been scoring in a consistent way. That’s why I don’t doubt Auba.”

Vardy’s fine form this season has coincided with manager Brendan Rodgers making his mark at Leicester.

Rodgers was appointed by Leicester in March of last year and he has transformed the Foxes to the extent that they go into tonight’s match third in the Premier League and nine points clear of Arsenal in seventh.

It is a remarkably fast turnaround and Arteta believes Arsenal can learn lessons from their opponents tonight as they begin their own rebuild.

“A lot of credit to them, Brendan and the staff, of how they have done, how they have evolved the team and obviously the season they are having,” said Arteta.

“Obviously having no Europe in that transition, I think has been helpful for them to put the work that they need to do to change completely the style that they have at the moment.

“It is a really good example. It is a really good mixture in the squad balance as well, with some players that have a lot of experience of playing in the Premier League, some really young talent as well and after they are buying the specificity that they need in the side for what they need.”

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