Jamie Carragher has described Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as being “too good for Arsenal” with the Gunners in a dilemma of not knowing whether to sell the player in the summer or risk him for free in 2021.
Aubameyang joined Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, making 97 appearances, in which he has registered 61 goals and contributed to 13 assists for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The summer could see the 30-year-old enter the final year of his contract with Arsenal but is already attracting interest from Europe’s big sides.
However, Carragher believes that the Emirates club find themselves in a similar situation to Liverpool, where the former defender once played, who saw Luis Suarez leave Anfield for Barcelona in 2014.
“Towards the end of my career [Liverpool] were in this situation quite a lot where you’re just missing out on the top four,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“It’s okay saying we have rules in place and saying we never let players go on a Bosman ruling, but if you’re Mikel Arteta I would be looking at it and thinking: have we got more of a chance – even if he goes for nothing next year – of getting to the Champions League before next season if Aubameyang stays?
“That’s the decision they’ve got to make. At this stage, there’s no doubt about it: Aubameyang is too good for Arsenal. We had that at Liverpool at times with Luis Suarez and certain players you’re desperate to keep hold of.
“You’re thinking as a club that you want to build around this player and if that player goes, you almost feel like you’re starting again. That’s the problem you have when you’re trying to get back into the top four and establish yourself as Arsenal are trying to do.
“That’ll be a decision for them. It’s okay saying, ‘if he doesn’t want to be there then let him go’, but it’s not easy when you’re at a club and have a player with such star quality who is probably nailed on every season to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot.
“It’s not easy to find goalscorers. I’d keep him – he gives Arsenal a greater chance of getting into the top four.”
Arsenal are currently preparing themselves for the ‘Project Restart’ which is set for June 17 with the Gunners facing Manchester City.
