Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang appears to have dropped a big hint that Unai Emery is closing in on his first signing as the new Arsenal manager.

Emery has wasted no time in overhauling Arsenal’s squad as he attempts to improve on last season’s disappointing 6th place finish in his first year in charge.

And he already sanctioned a deal for the Borussia Dortmund centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos, as The Independent exclusively revealed earlier this week.

It appears that that deal is now closer than ever, after Aubameyang liked a rather leading Instagram post.

An Arsenal fan account tweeted: “With Sokratis close to joining Arsenal. Who is excited to see these three playing in the same team again?” along with a picture of the defender sat with Aubameyang and fellow ex-Dortmund star Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Gabon international swiftly liked the photograph, sending the rumour mill into overdrive.

What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? Show all 12 1 /12 What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? Unai Emery has £50m to spend on overhauling Arsenal's squad ahead of the 2018/19 season. But what could his initial starting XI look like? AFP What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? GK: Bernd Leno The Germany goalkeeper looks set to oust Petr Cech as No 1 after joining this summer. Arsenal FC via Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? DR: Stephan Lichtsteiner The 34-year-old is set to join on a one-year contract and will keep Hector Bellerin on his toes. Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? DC: Sokratis Papastathopoulos As Jack Pitt-Brooke first reported, Arsenal are very keen on the Greek centre-back, who is interested in linking up with former team-mates Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang. City-Press via Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? DC: Laurent Koscielny Arsenal's club captain. Whether he retains the armband remains to be seen, but likely to keep hold of his spot in the heart of Arsenal's defence. Arsenal FC via Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? DL: Sead Kolasinac Emery may prefer Nacho Monreal at left-back. But aged 24, Kolasinac is definitely the future. Arsenal FC via Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? CM: Lucas Torreira The Sampdoria midfielder looks primed to replace Jack Wilshere in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. EPA What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? CM: Steven N'Zonzi The 29-year-old is a firm favourite of Emery, who signed him at Sevilla from Stoke in 2015, where he went on to become a key player. Don't be surprised if Emery returns for the defensive midfielder this summer. Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? RM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Impressed in fits and bursts at the end of last season. Likely to improve with a full pre-season under his belt. Arsenal FC via Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? AM: Aaron Ramsey The 27-year-old Welshman has craved more responsibility in the centre of the pitch and could be rewarded if, as expected, Arsenal decide to spend their limited funds on other problem areas. Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? LM: Mesut Ozil Whether or not Emery is able to coax the best out of the mercurial German midfielder could well come to define his reign. Getty Images What could Unai Emery's Arsenal look like? ST: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Arsenal's record signing, and the man the club are determined to build their new look side around. Comfortably ahead of Alexandre Lacazette in the pecking order. CameraSport via Getty Images