Xhaka admits it would be a great loss for Arsenal, if Aubameyang leaves

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has admitted that it would be a great loss for the Gunners, should Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang head through the exit door during the next transfer window. The Gabon international has been in fine form this term with 20 goals from 31 appearances but it is unclear whether he would remain with the club next season with his contract expiring in 12 months’ time.

So far, the club have not made any breakthrough in the contract talks and it has been suggested that they could offload him at the end of the campaign rather than losing him on a free transfer next summer. Speaking to SportBild, Xhaka said that Aubameyang has always been very professional at the north London giants and it would be a great loss, if the marksman parts ways with the club in the next transfer window, he told: "If that were to happen, it would, of course, be a great loss for the team and the club. Auba is always dangerous and always good for a goal, and as a guy, he's also really great. He is always positive, optimistic, helpful and very professional."

The Gunners are facing the prospect of missing out on the Champions League for the fourth season running and that has partly contributed to Aubameyang’s contract standoff. There has been no progress in the negotiations with the player but reports have recently claimed that manager Mikel Arteta could intervene into the discussions to convince the player to stay put.
The Spaniard played a key part in persuading Xhaka to remain with the Gunners in January and there is the optimism that the manager can repeat the same feat with Aubameyang. The 30-year-old is expected to feature for the Gunners when they resume their season after the coronavirus shutdown this month. The Capital outfit are scheduled to face Manchester City on the road on June 17.