Nicklas Bendtner

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has stressed that the lack of trophies won’t make him an unsuccessful striker. The Gabon international has netted 20 goals for the Gunners this season but he was recently guilty of squandering a late scoring chance as the club bowed out of the Europa League against Olympiacos at the round of 32 stage.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 30-year-old said that he does not need to win trophies to be a top striker. He added that silverware is definitely a plus but that does not determine the success of a marksman. He told: “I'm a striker so I will defend my side - I don't think you need trophies to be a top striker.

“Of course, it can help you but we've seen a lot of great players that didn't win trophies but we respect them because of their quality. You don't need to win trophies but if you win it, it's better. I had the chance again and I missed it. I was feeling like 'okay, this is my fault' and I think this is human. That's why I was really devastated. But this is football and sometimes that happens. The next day, I was back in training again.”

Aubameyang has another 16 months remaining on his Gunners contract and so far, he has yet to negotiate a renewal through the representative. He has previously indicated that he is committed to the club’s cause and it remains to be seen whether the club can find the contract breakthrough before the end of the season.

Suppose there is no solution, the Gunners may be tempted to sanction the forward’s sale, considering the valuation would significantly reduce during the final year of the contract. As per reports, the north London giants are understood to value Aubameyang at around £60m. Barcelona and Inter Milan have been credited with an interest in recent weeks.