Paul Merson has insisted Arsenal fans shouldn’t panic over not signing a striker this month and that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could still have a role to play at the Gunners.
Aubameyang has been banished from the first-team squad by Mikel Arteta after a disciplinary breach led to him being stripped of the captain’s armband.
The Gunners have also been handed a set-back in their search for a new striker, with long-term target Dusan Vlahovic on the verge of joining Juventus from Fiorentina for £62m.
Former Arsenal star Merson believes Aubameyang could yet come back into the fold – despite interest from Barcelona and Juventus.
He said in his column on Sky Sports: ‘To be honest, I thought Mikel Arteta chopped his nose off to spite his face in regard to Aubameyang in the first place.’
He added: ‘Arsenal need to have a sit-down meeting with him. You have seen it before where players have just said, that’s it. He got hung out to dry and he got binned.
‘It could have all been sorted out behind the scenes. There’s a lot to this story and probably it could have been handled better on both sides, but now, it needs to get sorted out.
‘For me, Aubameyang, on his day, is still one of Arsenal’s best players.’
Barcelona and Juventus want to take Aubameyang on loan until the summer, with discussions ongoing regarding whether either deal would include an option or obligation for the striker to move permanently.
Aubameyang has also been subject of firm interest from Saudi Arabian sides Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
Both are keen to sign the 32 year-old on an initial loan, with Al-Nassr prepared to include a £7m obligation, and pay all of his £350,000-per-week wages. Either offer would be more financially favourable to Arsenal.
But Aubameyang’s preference is to remain in Europe and despite falling out of favour at Arsenal recently, his track record at the highest level – 233 goals in 376 games in the last 10 seasons for Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal – has ensured his reputation remains intact and he is still in demand at some of the continent’s major clubs.
Vlahovic meanwhile arrived in Turin on Friday for his medical ahead of completing his move to Juventus.
Though Arsenal failed in their pursuit of the Serbian striker, Merson has urged Arsenal not to rush and panic buy someone before the end of the window.
He said: ‘If I was Arsenal I would not panic now. You cannot just go and chase someone for all this time and then switch targets and go for someone else.
‘There are now just days left of the window so, for me, Arsenal need to wait now.’