3 replacements for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang might be on his way out of Arsenal this summer. If so, here are three replacements that the Gunners should pursue.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is nearing the final year of his contract. Arsenal have repeatedly said they want to keep their star striker, but if they cannot thrash out a new deal with the Gabonian, he will likely be on his way out of the door. There is a growing number of suitors for his services, including Barcelona and now Chelsea, and if Aubameyang sees his future elsewhere, the Gunners will be helpless to let him walk.
In such an eventuality, they would have to replace him. So, here are three potential replacements that Arsenal should consider in the event that Aubameyang departs.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on January 21, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
3. Roll with the youth
Turning 31 in the summer and with one year remaining on his contract, is difficult to know quite what the market for Aubameyang will be, but given his goalscoring rate over a sensational period, it is reasonable to believe that Arsenal could get close to £50 million in a permanent sale. That is not an insignificant amount.
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Arsenal have several holes throughout the squad, especially regarding elite centre-backs and central midfielders. That £50 million could go a long way to securing a player to solve those positions, particularly if the club is dealing with the financial restrictions of no Champions League for the fourth-successive season. As such, selling Aubameyang and rolling with the youth is no bad option.
And in Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, the Gunners have two of the brightest young attacking prospects in world football. Both 18, Martinelli is the second-top goalscorer for the club, while Saka is the highest assist maker. They have both been lauded for their performances, have shown capability far beyond their years, and are pushing accomplished veterans hard for a starting role. Maybe, then, it is time to roll with the youth.
