Rio Ferdinand has intimated that Mikel Arteta’s decision to dump Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could cost Arsenal a Champions League qualification spot.
Arsenal are only one point behind fourth-placed West Ham United but, with two Premier League outings in hand, Arteta’s outfit are well placed.
The Gunners edged Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Molineux on Thursday night to boost their chances of snatching a top-four finish.
But the winning goal was scored by central defender Gabriel Magalhaes on a night where the Spaniard’s attacking players struggled in a major way.
Arsenal have only scored two goals across all competitions since Boxing Day.
And Ferdinand has told BT Sport that terminating Aubameyang’s contract – without signing a replacement – could seriously harm the North Londoners’ Champions League qualification bid.
He said: “Goals. Aubameyang has gone, not that he was banging them in when he was there, but he was a big player, the captain. They have not shown you anything that will convince you that they’re going to be consistent enough to get into the top four.”
Arteta to blame?
Well if Arsenal finish outside the top four then absolutely, the Spaniard should be questioned.
The Emirates Stadium outfit needed a striker even before getting rid of Aubameyang.
So to offload one of your most influential players without signing anyone to replace him was certainly a very questionable decision and one that could come back to haunt the former Manchester City assistant.
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