Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Former team-mate ‘trying to attract’ Arsenal man back to France; knows it’s ‘not easy’

Willian Arsenal

Bakary Sako is trying to persuade Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join him at Saint-Etienne during the January transfer window.

Aubameyang, 32, is currently out of the Gunners reckoning after a breach of club discipline. The Gabon international has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and his future in north London hangs in the balance. Reports vary on what might happen to the African.

There is a school of thought that boss Mikel Arteta wants to reconcile with the forward. But it was claimed on Friday that he has three clubs to chose from as an exit is imminent.

They are Italian duo Inter and Roma plus Spanish giants Barcelona. However, Newcastle United have also been mentioned in connection with the French-born hitman.

The current window will prove a pivotal moment in Aubameyang’s Arsenal career. Sako played with the veteran when they were both on the St Etienne books.

The former Wolves, Crystal Palace and West Brom player is now back at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. And the former Mali international did not hide the fact that he is encouraging his former team-mate to return.

“I am trying to attract him,” he told reporters, per Get French Football News. “Wouldn’t you like to see Aubameyang back at St Etienne? We all feel the same. I am very serious when I tell him to come, even if it is in a joking tone.

“I don’t know if it is possible, but I hope he will respond favourably. It is difficult because he has been at Arsenal for a long time, it is not easy to leave London.”

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Aubameyang has carried Arsenal’s attack at times during his spell at the Emirates. He has bagged 92 goals from 163 appearances in all competitions since arriving in January 2018.

But he has not featured since December 6 due to his latest indiscretion. It is not the first time that the former Borussia Dortmund ace has blotted his copybook.

He was left out of the starting line up for the North London Derby in March last year – again for disciplinary reasons. The latest incident might be one step too far and signal the end of his time in the capital.

Bakary Sako Crystal Palace 2021 TEAMtalk1

There are no shortage of suitors but only one has a cheerleader shouting for his signature.

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