Garth Crooks has said on BBC Sport that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta should not sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.
Aubameyang is out of the Arsenal squad at the moment for a disciplinary breach.
Arteta has not picked the Gabon international striker for matches against Southampton, West Ham United and Leeds United in the Premier League.
Arsenal have won them all.
However, former Tottenham Hotspur forward Crooks has said that Arteta should not sell Aubameyang.
Crooks wrote on BBC Sport: “I do like Martinelli. Quick, direct and not lacking in confidence in front of goal.
“The Brazilian’s finish against West Ham was classy while his two goals at Leeds simply established the fact this lad is to be taken very seriously.
“It might be a reason for Mikel Arteta to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go, although I wouldn’t advise it just yet.
“Whatever is causing Aubameyang to misbehave it would be in Arteta’s interest to fix it.
“There are still plenty of goals in the Gabon striker and they are always a good reason to persevere with any player that can produce them on a regular basis – and he can.”
Arteta should keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
In our opinion, Arsenal should not sell Aubameyang in the January transfer window.
Absolutely not.
Yes, the striker has not been at his best since the start of last season, but we all know what he is capable of.
You do not score 68 goals in 128 Premier League matches if you are not a good striker.
Yes, Gabriel Martinelli is starting to show what he is capable of, but he is very young.
Arsenal are challenging for the Premier League top four this season, and losing a player like Aubameyang could be costly.
There is speculation that Juventus want to sign the striker, and Arsenal themselves are claimed to be open to selling him in January.
In our view, that would be a mistake from Arsenal.
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