Arteta insists Aubameyang is going nowhere in January

Mikel Arteta is not entertaining any idea of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being sold in January.

The Arsenal captain is keen on leaving the club with the hope of playing Champions League football.

When asked about the chance of a January sale, Arteta said, “I don’t even think about that possibility with Auba, I want him here.”

Inter Milan have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Aubameyang, according to the Mirror.

The Gabon international refused to sign a contract extension earlier in the season, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2021.

The 30-year-old has scored 56 goals in 89 games for Arsenal and his form has alerted some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs to his availability.

Aubameyang was handed the captain’s armband in a bid to keep the Gabon star committed to the cause as Arsenal try to turn their poor season around.

In the short term, the striker has pledged his commitment to the cause for the remainder of the season.

The Arsenal forward is desperate to be playing Champions League football next season, but the prospect of Mikel Arteta’s side rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite come September are looking slim, leaving the Arsenal captain to weigh up his options.

Another player rumoured to be leaving in January is former captain Granit Xhaka. Sources have told ESPN the Switzerland international is keen to join Hertha Berlin, with Xhaka’s agent later claiming terms over a move had been agreed with the Bundesliga side.

However, Arteta said he has spoken to the 27-year-old, who was stripped of the captaincy following a clash with Arsenal supporters, to understand why he was considering leaving the club.

“I had a conversation with him and I wanted to understand his feelings first, the reason why he was thinking here probably wasn’t the right place to continue his career,” Arteta said. “I gave him my opinion, my perspective, and I told him that I was ready to support him from the club perspective.

“I wanted his teammates to get his back and help him to change his mind because we need him. I believe that if we were able to do that the fans would respond in a positive way.

“I’ve seen him act every day, how he trains, how he lives his profession and the quality of the player. He could be a really important player for the club.”