Arsenal Legend Paul Merson thinks Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t play for Arsenal again, even if it might ‘cost’ them Champions League football.
The Gabon star was stripped of the club’s captaincy, which has since, on a temporary basis, been handed to Alexandre Lacazette.
Even though Arsenal are crying out for more quality in the final third, Merson still thinks Aubameyang won’t come back, even if a new striker isn’t signed this month. He said to Skysports
“No, not for me,” said Merson. “I think Arteta has already laid that one out. I think he has chopped his nose there (to spite his face).
On whether Aubameyang will come back even if Arsenal don’t buy a striker this month: “I don’t. He left him out to dry. It is going to be some going for the lad to come back. could (cost them a top-four).
But I don’t think Aubameyang is going to get them into the top-four, though.
“For me, pick your best players. I just think what has happened between the manager and him needs to be sorted out first.”
Aubameyang boasts an excellent record for Arsenal and even guided them to an FA Cup victory in the 2019-20 season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his sides second goal during FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Chelsea ( Getty Images)
However, off-field events might just be held over him when he eventually departs the club.
Aubameyang was signed by legendary Gunners manager Arsene Wenger back in January 2018. He got off to a bright start, scoring 10 goals and laying out five assists in his first 14 matches in an Arsenal shirt.
The 32-year-old went a step further in the next two seasons, netting 60 goals in 97 matches across all competitions. Aubameyang also won the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 22 league goals in the 2018-19 season.
However, his numbers began to dwindle starting with the 2020-21 season. Aubameyang found the back of the net just 15 times in 39 matches last campaign.
He has followed it up with a slightly improved seven goals in 15 appearances this term, but now finds himself on the peripheries of the Arsenal squad.
The disciplinary breach that currently sees him out of the squad isn’t the first such instance.
Aubameyang was previously dropped from the Gunners’ matchday squad after arriving late ahead of a game against Tottenham Hotspur but has been now axed from the club and not part of the team that will jet to Dubai on Thursday.