Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Mikel Arteta to recall Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he could ‘be the difference’ in Arsenal’s top-four bid, if they fail to secure a late window transfer.
The ex-Aston Villa striker has told talkSPORT the Gunners are being stubborn by leaving Aubameyang out of the side while not scoring. The Gabon ace has not featured since facing Everton on December 6, having lost the club’s captaincy over disciplinary breaches.
Arsenal did not struggle without Aubameyang in their first four games with the 32-year-old excluded from the squad. Arteta’s men scored three at home to Southampton, two against West Ham, four at Leeds and five at Norwich. But they have since scored once in five.
The Gunners scored their only goal of 2022 so far to go ahead against Manchester City on New Years’ Day. They have since lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, while Burnley kept Arsenal to a goalless draw. They also drew 0-0 with Liverpool before losing 2-0.
Arsenal are determined to solve their drought in the final week of the transfer window, rather than recall Aubameyang. CBS report the north Londoners doubt Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette are up to the task of securing them Champions League qualification.
So, Arteta is now mulling deals for centre-forwards, while The Athletic report Aubameyang wants to stay in Europe amid offers from Al Hilal. The Telegraph also note Aubameyang has not travelled with Arsenal for this week’s warm-weather training camp in the Middle East.
Agbonlahor believes Aubameyang can still ‘be the difference’ for Arsenal
Among the striker transfers Arsenal are considering to avoid recalling Aubameyang includes Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic. But while football.london report intermediaries have offered the Serbian to Arteta’s side, The Athletic note the Gunners have concerns over his work rate.
But loaning Jovic may prove to be Arsenal’s best chance of a striker transfer this month. So, Agbonlahor would urge Arteta to consider bringing Aubameyang back in if no-one arrives.
“When Aubameyang was banished, they were scoring, weren’t they? So, Arsenal fans didn’t really question it,” Agbonlahor said. “Now they’re not scoring. Lacazette isn’t scoring, [Eddie] Nketiah isn’t scoring. It’s time to bring him back.
“If they don’t bring in another striker with five-days left of the transfer window, they need to bring Aubameyang back in because he could be the difference to get them into the top-four and Champions League football.
“You can’t just have him sitting there on his own training if there are no goals coming from Lacazette or Nketiah. It doesn’t make sense – stop being stubborn, and bring him back in.”
Aubameyang scored four goals over 14 Premier League appearances this season before Arteta axed the 32-year-old. He had also failed to net in his last six outings, starting five.
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