‘Needed to leave’: Rio Ferdinand says ‘extraordinary’ player simply had to get out of Arsenal

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand has been chatting about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after his departure from Arsenal.

The Gabonese striker has joined Barcelona on a free transfer, and it’s fair to say that this move is a controversial one.

Just two months ago, Aubameyang was considered one of the Gunners’ most important players and the club captain, but after a disciplinary breach, he’s been forced out.

Ferdinand believes that this departure suits all parties, stating that the last thing you want at a club is a player hanging around who the manager doesn’t want.

What’s Ferdinand said about Aubameyang?

The pundit gave his view on this situation.

“I think Xavi looks at him as someone who has something to prove. He wants to play football, he has experience and maybe he can fit the style he wants to play – that remains to be seen. He has a lot of young players there Xavi, so he needed someone with experience, and maybe someone like Aubameyang who he probably feels he can rein in and refocus can be an asset,” Ferdinand said.

“I wish him luck, for both parties, Aubameyang needed to leave, for his sake, for football’s sake and for Arsenal’s sake. You don’t want it at the club, a player hanging around who is not really wanted by the manager.”

Spot on

Ferdinand is absolutely right here.

Yes, Aubameyang has the talent to be an asset for Arsenal, but if the manager’s mind wasn’t going to be changed, then getting rid of him was the best move for everyone involved.

Aubameyang wants to play football and Arsenal want to save money, so a move to Barcelona makes the world of sense.

Aubameyang needed to leave or else his final years at the top level would have been wasted rotting in the reserves at Arsenal, and nobody wants to see a player who has been labelled as ‘extraordinary’ sat on the sidelines.