Arsenal: 3 reasons why Gunners should keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal have a decision to make regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his future. Here are three reasons to keep the centre-forward.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang faces an uncertain future. The Arsenal striker will turn 31 this summer. He has one year remaining on his contract. Despite two-and-a-half years of truly remarkable performances, as James Benge reports for Football.London, the club are considering selling their top goalscorer. But with decisions to make, there is much uncertainty regarding whether they should commit to the striker’s later years.

Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — DisasterCast

So, here are three reasons why Arsenal should keep Aubameyang.

3. Nketiah, Martinelli can replace him, but not yet

There are two ways that Arsenal can keep Aubameyang: sign him to a bumper new contract that secures the next few years; or allow him to play out the final year of his current deal and leave for free next summer. Of course, the latter route may seem rather foolish, especially considering the difficulty had the club had in replacing Aaron Ramsey who departed for nothing last summer, but there is logic to it.

In Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal have two of the brightest young striking talents in the Premier League. Martinelli is the club’s second-highest scorer behind Aubameyang and was labelled a ‘talent of the century’ by Jurgen Klopp, while Nketiah has consistently scored goals throughout his season including three goals in five starts since returning to the club in January.

Both have the talent to be a long-term replacement for Aubameyang. Whether they are ready this year, however, is doubtful. But in a year’s time, they could slot straight into the starting XI. That would provide Arsenal with a straight replacement without needing to spend, thus removing the need to regain cash in an Aubameyang sale.