Arsenal victims of ‘criminal’ handling of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as new claim emerges – pundit
It was “criminal” for Arsenal to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave in January and it will cost them a place in the top four.
That is the view of ex-Aston Villa and England forward Gabby Agbonlahor, speaking exclusively to Football Insider as Arsenal slipped to back-to-back defeats and three points behind Spurs in the race to finish fourth.
They have scored just twice in their last four top-flight games and Alexandre Lacazette has found the net just once in 2022.
Aubameyang has been in red-hot goalscoring form for Barcelona, finding the net 10 times in 14 games across all competitions since his January switch.
“Yes, Arsenal have had a good season,” Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have done well and scored some goals.
“But Spurs have Heung-min Son and Harry Kane, natural finishers and goalscorers. Arsenal don’t, that’s the reason they won’t finish in the top four, they don’t have a goalscorer.
“The big problem for Arsenal is that Lacazette’s been poor and he can’t be your only striker.
“The decision let Aubameyang go was criminal. They should’ve kept him and maybe not started him if he wasn’t performing.
“This is where managers earn their money, get Aubameyang back in love with Arsenal and get him scoring goals.
“The big reason Arsenal will miss out on the top four is their strikers. It was a big mistake by Arteta.
“The longer it goes for Lacazette with a goal the harder it is to score as a striker.
“I’ve been there, your confidence is gone, your snatching at shots. It was a ridiculous decision to have him as your only striker.”
In other news, Arsenal are lining up a bid for a 23-year-old who’s wowed Pep Guardiola and his club are willing to sell.