Mikel Arteta believes Saturday’s FA Cup final will not be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s last game for Arsenal and lifting the trophy could help convince him to sign a new contract.
Aubameyang will captain Arsenal at Wembley Stadium against Chelsea, but he is yet to pen fresh terms on a new deal.
The forward’s current contract is due to expire in under a year’s time and he is attracting interest from Barcelona and Inter Milan.
But Arteta, who himself won the FA Cup as captain of Arsenal back in 2014, believes defeating Chelsea and lifting the trophy could help convince Aubameyang to stay.
“I think that has a strong link with everything that you want to experience as a player,” said Arteta.
“The fact that winning a trophy helps to really believe and feel - wow, I want more of those moments as well. If you are wearing the armband and you are able to lift that cup, it is such a moment and this is going to help for sure.”
Arteta will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of his former boss Arsene Wenger by winning the FA Cup.
The Frenchman won a record seven FA Cups during his time at Arsenal and Arteta revealed he has been picking his brains over the past few months.
“It’s great to have him on board and he gives me great advice,” said Arteta.
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“I’ve been in touch over the last few months a few times with him but not before the final. Just talking to him, you know?
“He has such a knowledge. He’s such an intelligent person, just knowing that he’s there and he’s going to be supporting us and supporting me, it makes me feel calmer.
“I think in the football world, you can talk about anything with him. You just have to learn, get the book out and take some notes.
“We’ve worked so hard since I joined here to take this club back to winning titles, so if we can achieve that I will be delighted. But not for myself - for the players and the club.”
