Gabby Agbonlahor feels not replacing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could cost Arsenal fourth place

Add as preferred source on Google

TalkSPORT pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Mikel Arteta’s decision to not replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be deemed a mistake if Arsenal don’t finish fourth.

The Gunners’ lack of potency in front of goal looks to have come at the worst possible time of the season.

Arteta’s side have lost their last three Premier League, in which they have scored just one goal, and the Emirates side are three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with seven league games remaining.

Aubameyang, Arsenal’s former captain, left north London for Barcelona on the last day of the January transfer window on a free transfer.

Since arriving at the Nou Camp, Arsenal’s former number 14 has 10 goals from 15 matches and he’s been a revelation since joining Xavi’s side.

No Arsenal player has hit double figures for goals scored in the Premier League this season. Both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have nine goals to their name.

But the former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor feels Arteta’s decision to let Aubameyang go without a replacement being brought in could prove the difference in securing fourth spot.

Agbonlahor said: “They’ve let Aubameyang go for free and he’s scoring goals for Barcelona.

“If they don’t get fourth, Arteta made a mistake letting him go. Yes they had their fall out, but you’ve let a goalscorer go free of charge.

“[Arsenal] can’t score, Smith-Rowe, Saka and Martinelli are still young players – they’re going to have stages where they are not bang at it, and Arsenal’s bench like Pepe are not good enough to come in and help the young lads.

“Arsenal will regret letting him go and not replacing him.”