Pundit names two stars who will replace Aubameyang at Arsenal

Arsenal already have two players in their squad capable of filling the goals void left by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s expected departure this summer, according to pundit Michael Owen.

The 30-year-old striker who has had a resurgence under Mikel Arteta is out of contract in the summer of 2021 and the Gunners boss and the club are desperate for the forward to stay.

However, reports suggesting Aubameyang could be set to leave refuse to go away and Arsenal are bracing themselves for an approach from Barcelona, among others, at the end of the season.

Barca’s director of football Eric Abidal has made it pretty clear that the Gunners frontman is still firmly on the club’s radar.

However, the striker himself has called out reports suggesting he could be set to leave and is adamant his future remains with the London club, despite their likely failure to qualify for the Champions League.

“I would also like to react to some of the rumours that are going around about me in the media,” he said in February.

“People like making up stories and they should focus on what’s happening on the pitch. They talk too much and it does my head in!

“I am the Arsenal captain. I love this club. I am committed to it and desperate to bring it back to the top, where it belongs.”

 

READ MORE: The four attackers Arsenal could sign to replace Aubameyang

 

However, if they do end up losing the striker, former Liverpool man Owen insists Arsenal have two strikers at the club more than capable of filling his boots.

“I think Arsenal have got a nice little thing going under Mikel Arteta,” Owen told Premier League Productions.

 

 

“They’ve got a nice blend as well. They’re bringing a few young players through, [Eddie] Nketiah, [Gabriel] Martinelli scoring goals as well.

“You never know, one of those two lads up front could turn into proper players and be like him [Aubameyang], scoring 20-plus goals a season and they’re worth their weight in gold.

“If you can unearth one of those from your academy, it’s a massive bonus.”

Former Gunners forward Ian Wright, however, admits he is concerned about the striker’s departure and thinks the star deserves better than the performances his Arsenal teammates are giving him.

“If you can imagine him in a better team, he would be winning Premier Leagues and vying for places in Champions League finals and I think he deserves that,” Wright told Premier League Productions.

“You don’t see him particularly vocal on the pitch, pointing and screaming, but it’s what he does in respect of his leadership with the goals that he scores.

“If you take his goals out of that team then they’re in a massive heap of trouble. We’re talking about a goalscorer who is scoring at the rate of a Champions League player, a world-class goalscorer.

“We’re talking about the last big contract in his career.

“I just hope that the love that he has for the club and the fans have for him is enough for him but I wouldn’t want to be in his position because it’s a tough one for him.”

Arsenal, meanwhile, will reportedly make a transfer approach for a Manchester United-linked striker who has caught the eye this season with Wolves.