Arsenal always held a trump card in their negotiations with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over his new contract this year.

The club captain penned terms after the first game of the season to 2023 after months of talks.

With his previous deal expiring in 2021, there was a concern Aubameyang could commit to a pre-contract from January 1 and leave for nothing next summer.

However, reporter Vincent Duluc of Canal+ has revealed Arsenal were always in control of negotiations.

While Aubameyang's old deal was to expire next summer, Arsenal held a 12 month option which they could trigger to keep the striker with the club to 2022.