‘It will be a travesty’: Kevin Campbell warns Arsenal against making controversial decision

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Arsenal legend Kevin Campbell has claimed that it would be a “travesty” if the Gunners let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang go, in conversation with Sky Sports.

The Gabon international is an essential player for Arsenal, with 20 goals this season so far and 61 in all competitions since joining the Gunners in January 2018.

However, Aubameyang’s future at the Emirates Stadium is uncertain, given his contract expires next summer and no breakthrough has been made on a new deal.

If he doesn’t pen new terms before the upcoming transfer window, the Gunners will have to decide whether to cash in on him or let his contract run down.

Head coach Mikel Arteta is “pretty positive” that an agreement can be reached to extend Aubameyang’s stay, after the Gunners captain admitted he faces a “turning point” in his career.

Campbell has made it clear that he feels Arsenal cannot really afford to lose their top-scorer, who has put the ball in the club’s court in terms of convincing him to sign a new deal.

“They find themselves scrambling really because he is your best striker, he guarantees you 20 goals a season and there is still a question mark over whether he is actually going to stay at the football club, which should never happen,” Campbell told The Football Show.

“It’s going to cost the club a lot more money to replace a player like Aubameyang and you’re not guaranteed anything. I think there has to be some serious talking going on behind the scenes. I’m sure Mikel Arteta wants to keep Aubameyang.

“He’s the club captain as well so that adds a little bit of spice to it. But Arsenal seem to always do this with their top players, and I think it will be a travesty if they let him go. I think they have got to really show some mettle and keep the likes of Aubameyang at the football club.”

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A player of Aubameyang’s calibre should not be getting to the last 12 months of his contract without a resolution, and with the football industry set for a huge financial blow in wake of the global health crisis, Arsenal’s hand is weakened even further – a gamble which has backfired massively.

Now the Gunners are between a rock and a hard place – they can either sell Aubameyang at what is likely to be a hugely reduced price in a market where most clubs won’t be looking to spend big money, they can hold out until January and sell him for an even lower fee, or they can keep him for one more season and lose him for nothing.