Paul Merson feels Arsenal have only themselves to blame with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, having failed to learn from past contract mistakes.
The 32-year-old is currently in the Gunners doghouse after reporting back late from a trip to France. The Gabon international has already missed two games and will not be considered for Saturday’s trip to Leeds. Manager Mikel Arteta spoke about the situation earlier this week.
He refused to divulge too much information but a report by the Telegraph suggests the African’s punishment is far from over. They state that the Spanish action has plans to sidelined him for up to two months.
Aubameyang penned a lucrative new Emirates deal in the summer of 2020. And Merson feels that is one reason why he has shown contempt for the club.
“Arsenal have got what they deserved with Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang because they never should have given him that contract,” he wrote in the Daily Star. “He’s on far too much money for his age, he hasn’t been the same player since he signed it, and he shouldn’t come back into the team now in my opinion.”
And the man who played 327 league games for the north Londoners would not be sorry to see the back of him.
“If anyone offers him £350,000-a-week elsewhere I’d drop him off there but Barcelona have got no money and I don’t see how they could afford even half of his wages,” he added.
Aubameyang stance has echoes of past troubles
Mesut Ozil was another Arsenal star handed a huge contract in the latter stage of his career. He ran it down before leaving for Fenerbahce in January this year.
And Merson believes the club’s paymasters should have learnt their lesson.
“Arsenal for me are in this situation again because they let him run down his contract and then gave him a lorryload of money,” he continued. “It’s like Mesut Ozil all over again.”
Aubameyang has been stripped of the captaincy. And it is not the first time he has been disciplined for his actions.
Merson is clearly unhappy with the former Borussia Dortmund star. And he feels a glance in the Arsenal history books would not go amiss for the French-born hitman.
“That’s twice now he’s been axed for breaking the rules. That shouldn’t happen to a 20-year-old let alone the captain. It’s disrespectful,” he said. “Ask Tony Adams or Thierry Henry how proud they were to captain Arsenal. It’s an honour. But it doesn’t seem to be for Aubameyang.
“He can’t come back into the team this weekend. No chance. They played too well without him. And if they can rid of him they should.”
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