Arsenal: Okay, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can leave now

Arsenal’s attack is starting to pop, and the long-term is taking shape. Which just means that we can confidently sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now.

There’s a lot for Arsenal to digest this summer, but no matter how many questions come up, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is by far the most pressing question needing answering. Whether we should sell him or keep him is a debate that will rage up until the end.

Even with the reports and quotes from both Aubameyang and Mikel Arteta, both of whom claim that Aubameyang wants to stay. Regardless, the deal hasn’t been signed, and with just a year left on his contract doing into next season, the time is now to make a decision, in case you haven’t heard.

Up until this moment, any talk of Aubameyang leaving has been met with a stern look. How can we let a soon-to-be repeat Golden Boot winner go? Especially seeing as how he isn’t exactly getting any worse. If anything, he’s getting better.

But over the past week, the Gunners have made a point to build the future by locking both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli down to long-term deals. Saka was the big concern, as he had yet to sign his first senior deal, while Martinelli was just the cherry on top.

The thing is, both of these guys play the same position as Aubameyang. And while you can’t enough depth in the attack, the fact that both of these kids are currently stuck behind Aubameyang is a testament to the almost excessive level of depth we have at this specific position.

And that doesn’t even include Nicolas Pepe.

Let me go ahead and say that I do not want Aubameyang to leave. Ever, preferably. But for the first time since the exit rumors began, I am 100% okay with Aubameyang leaving, if he absolutely has to leave. Because I could not be more comfortable with Martinelli and Saka holding down the role. When one struggles, the other steps in. It’s perfect.

As the saying goes, two’s company, but three’s a crowd. Not that three can’t work, it’s just… a lot. And there isn’t a lot of room for everyone to get what they need.

Again, I don’t want Aubameyang to leave. I really don’t. I kind of dread it. But if he were to leave now that we have Martinelli and Saka locked down, it’s pretty safe going forward.