Arsenal targeting one of only a few Alexis Sanchez insurance policies

Alexis Sanchez will likely leave Arsenal this summer. There are only a few players capable of replacing him. Thankfully, Arsene Wenger is pursuing one of them: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The summer transfer window is looming and Arsenal, with or without the presence of their 21-year manager, have a lot of work to do. A playing squad that is stagnating, a number of key contributors entering the final year of their contract and ground to make up on the more established and well-rounded squads in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

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Adding the right players will be absolutely vital. Spending for spending’s sake is very rarely a wise investment, a principle that Arsene Wenger has been criticised for erring on the side of caution of. However, it is important that players who can improve the starting XI in key, specific areas are targetted, especially if one or two established stars do indeed leave.

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The most likely to depart North London in the summer is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has visibly grown increasingly frustrated with life at the Emirates, culminating in tantrums on the sidelines, bust-ups in training and gesticulating at teammates when he feels they have made the wrong decision – there was a prime example in Sunday’s win over Manchester United when Aaron Ramsey was the subject of such an outburst after he chose to drive the ball across the six-yard box, rather than pull it back for Sanchez, who had found a pocket of space with a late run.

However, for all his character faults and behavioural flaws, Sanchez has still been the primary threat of the side in recent weeks. If he were to leave, Arsenal would not simply need another body to plug into the role. They would need a catalysing player, an instigator, a game-winner, someone capable of moments of sheer brilliance, grabbing matches by the scruff of the neck and wrestling control of them.

There are very few players who are capable of fulfilling such a role. There are even less who are available to buy. That is why recent reports linking Wenger with a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund are especially pleasing and exciting. He is a player of the quality to replicate the inspirational influence of Sanchez.

And the Gabon international has spoken of his desire to leave Dortmund in the summer. While there would be immense competition for his signature given the enormous success he has enjoyed spearheading their side in recent years, he would be an excellent signing for a team in need of replacing an equally brilliant attacker.

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Convincing Aubameyang to come to North London would be a challenge, especially without Champions League football. However, there are very few players that are capable of offering compensation for Sanchez’s impending exit. Aubameyang is one of them, and he is well worth pursuing.