da luck： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da bet7k： Speaking on talkSPORT, Clinton Morrison has insisted Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can’t be blamed for reportedly shelving contract talks with the club.
What did he say?
The Gabon international arrived from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 for a fee in the region of £56m, and has been one of the Gunners’ key performers in his time at the Emirates. Last season, he won the Premier League’s Golden Boot award along with Liverpool’s star duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, whilst he has been similarly prolific in the beginning of the current campaign, notching eight goals in the top-flight.
However, with the Gunners currently outside the top four places, and once again competing in the Europa League this year, reports have suggested Aubameyang has scrapped negotiations over a new contract for now.
In response, Morrison suggested that the 30-year-old has been badly let down by the under-performing Gunners, and that they are “not living up to expectations”.
He said: “Do you blame him? He’s gone to Arsenal thinking they’re going to challenge for the title, but they’re not challenging for the title – I think they’ll struggle to finish in the top four! He’s gone there to win trophies, but what will they win this season? He’s gone there to play Champions League football and he might not even do that!
“He’s delivering on the pitch, he’s scoring goals week-in week-out, but the club is not living up to his expectations. I think Arsenal are at a standstill. They haven’t progressed and are still doing what they were doing under Arsene Wenger.”
Yet more misery
Arsenal just can’t seem to catch a break at the moment. Aubameyang has been one of the rare shining lights of a desperately dark season, and for reports to now suggest that even the striker is having second thoughts about his long-term future at the club is a hammer blow to the Gunners.
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The north London side desperately need to keep hold of the former Borussia Dortmund star, not only for his sheer amount of goals, but also for the statement of intent that it brings. Losing him would be the nail in the coffin for their ability to attract some of the world’s best talents, as it would send out completely the wrong message about their current status and ambitions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been told to move for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, by Stan Collymore.