Arsenal legend claims Arteta’s ‘big decision’ on Aubameyang is a ‘gamble’

Arsenal legend Alan Smith has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s “big decision” to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave is a “gamble”.

The striker joined Arsenal in 2018 from Borussia Dortmund. He was a prolific goalscorer for the Gunners.

Aubameyang netted 92 goals from his 163 appearances for the Londoners across all competitions.

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Prior to his move to Barcelona, the 32-year-old was not involved for Arsenal following his fallout with Arteta in December.

He was initially linked with a loan move to the Spanish giants but this ended up being a permanent switch. 

Smith believes Arteta is proving himself to be a “very decisive manager” but it is a “gamble” to let Aubameyang leave:

“Mikel Arteta is proving to be a very decisive manager, especially with his dealings with certain players, none more so than Aubameyang,” Smith said (via Sky Sports).

“That could have been something that was hanging around his neck for quite a while. Yet he decided quickly that he was not going to try and bring him back into the fold. He did not want to try and rehabilitate him and reintegrate him into the squad.

“You do not know what has happened behind the scenes. But Arteta has drawn a line under it and he will want to move on from there pretty quickly.

“It is a gamble. Every time the team cannot score a goal, that will be thrown in his face and I am sure he is fully aware of that and prepared for it. But he may just have the freedom now to try one or two things like playing Gabriel Martinelli down the middle at times.

“I thought Arteta might try and get Aubameyang back on side given the vast outlay Arsenal had made on him. But only the manager and the player would know what the chances of that actually were.

“He obviously decided he did not want to do that, and he wanted to make a clean cut. Managers are paid big money to make big decisions, and this is a big decision. There is no doubt about that.

“But if Aubameyang does not fit into Arteta’s blueprint and the way he wants the team to play in that high energy style, and he does not feel the striker can reach the levels he has previously, then make the break and move on.”