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Arteta told to make transfer decision on Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
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Amid inconsistency from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this season, Kevin Campbell has urged Mikel Arteta to hold crunch talks with his captain.

Mikel Arteta needs to sit down with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to find out whether the striker remains fully committed to Arsenal, according to Kevin Campbell. The main task for the Gunners last summer to try and convince Aubameyang to sign a new contract as he entered this final year of his previous deal.

A new contract was eventually signed soon after the season started, just days after the Gabonese scored in the opening-day 3-0 win over Fulham.

It initially looked to be good business for Arsenal, but Aubameyang soon struggled to find the net.

He would go on to score just two in 15 league games with Arteta continuing to rotate the Gabon international across the front three positions.

Aubameyang made his return to the starting line-up at the weekend after recovering from malaria to score and provide an assist in the 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Discussions will likely already be taking place on what Arsenal plan to do in the summer transfer window and who Arteta wants to bring in.

However, Campbell believes choosing whether to sell Aubameyang at the end of the season will also be on the agenda.

“I don’t think Aubameyang or Mikel Arteta can be together on this because there have been issues,” he told Stadium Astro.

“If Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not fully committed to Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has to sell him.

“He [Arteta] has to turn things around because what’s been happening this season hasn’t been great.

“Although Arsenal still have a chance in the Europa League, the league season hasn’t been great.

“If Aubameyang is still on board – fantastic. He’s the captain, he stays, you put everything under the sand.

“But if he’s not fully committed then you have to really look at can we move him on.

“Unless you’re 100 per cent committed, you shouldn’t have any place at Arsenal.”

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