‘1000%’: Agbonlahor says Arsenal star would perform better if he was ‘negotiating contract’

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Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would perform better ‘1000%’ if he was ‘negotiating a contract’ with Arsenal, as he told talkSPORT.

Last summer, there was a lot of talk going into the new season about whether Aubameyang will sign on the dotted line for Arsenal.

The flying forward had been Arsenal’s best player and had just fired them to FA Cup glory in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge – seems a long time ago now.

But since then, there has been a drop-off from the ex-Dortmund superstar, with issues outside of football cited as one of those reasons.

However, against Brighton over the weekend, it was another worrying performance from the poacher from Gabon.

And Agbonlahor thinks, Auba signing a new deal, at the start of the last campaign, has a lot to do with it.

“You can’t just keep someone on the pitch if they aren’t performing,” said Agbonlahor. “It’s different with Ronaldo because he is one of the greatest ever players.

“But Aubameyang was poor. He wasn’t holding the ball up. It didn’t look like he had that pace to get in behind that Brighton defence and it was the right call to bring him off.

“When you are looking for a new contract, there is no lie, your performances are going to go up. Once the contract is signed, naturally you are going to take it down a gear, at least, that’s what you can see in Aubameyang’s performances since he has signed that contract.

“Where’s the hunger (on Saturday) say if he was still negotiating his contract for £300k-a-week? Let’s be honest, if he was still negotiating a contract, he would have got a better performance 1000% against Brighton.”

Aubameyang was hauled off for Alexandre Lacazette against Brighton, as he failed to have an impact at the Amex Stadium.

The 32-year-old has found the back of the net twice in the Premier League this season – both on winning occasions against Norwich and Spurs.

But his performances haven’t exactly lifted the supporters in thinking that he is going to be back to his best.

With the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukakyo Saka and Martin Odegaard all playing in the same team.

There is a lot more creative talent for Aubameyang to feast over, and if he’s still not producing the goods despite being fed, that’s when fans should really start to worry.