Ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has urged the North London club to keep hold of key forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates Stadium despite the rumors linking him to China as well as Manchester United.
It’s no big secret that Arsenal fans would have loved for their team to qualify for the Champions League by accomplishing a top-four berth as well as win some silverware by winning the Europa League. However, none of that happened under Unai Emery’s first season in charge of the club and it’s not only the fans that were underwhelmed but even some of the Arsenal players.
Gabon attacker Pierre Emerick Aubameyang enjoyed a stellar campaign on an individual level as he scored 22 goals in the Premier League season, winning the Golden Boot and has been enjoying a consistent goalscoring run of form for Arsenal since joining the club from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund back in January 2018.
However, Aubameyang is disappointed and dejected with the lack of silverware at Arsenal football club and no Champions League football which has linked the 30-year-old striker with a move away from the Emirates Stadium to join either Chinese Super League or fierce rivals Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
When asked about Aubameyang’s potential move to join the red half of Manchester, ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour admitted that he would be shocked and said, “It would be madness to let him [Aubameyang] go, but players have got all the power these days. Aubameyang and Lacazette were absolutely brilliant last season. It looks like they’ve got a really good relationship up front; you can see how they celebrate goals. I’d be amazed by that [if he signed for United], I really would. That would shock me.”
The 46-year-old former England star went on to further explain a similar situation that took place with Robin Van Persie a few seasons ago advising Arsenal that goalscorers like Aubameyang are imperative for the team, “That wouldn’t be good from an Arsenal supporters’ point of view – we all remember when Robin van Persie left to United and they ended up winning the league the following season. ‘When I go to pre-season, I’m really hoping Aubameyang is on that plane. Goalscorers are so important. Good ones are hard to find and he’s really proven he is a top-class goalscorer. ‘You want to be adding to your squad, not trying to get rid of a few players!”
