Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has insisted the Gunners will be powerless if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang decides he wants to leave the club.
The Gabonese star striker has only 18 months left on his existing contract and there has been no indications that he's ready to extend his stay at the Emirates.
With the January transfer window open, speculation over his future is once again rife, despite Aubameyang playing down the prospect of leaving in the New Year.
Aubameyang recently told RMC Sport when quizzed on his future: “The English press likes to talk a lot.
“For now, I'm here. I'm 100% here.”
However, this is not the first time Arsenal have been at the mercy of a star player entering the final 12 months of their contract.
In fact, it has been a regular occurrence over the last decade, with the likes of Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri pushing through cut-price deals to Premier League rivals.
Former Arsenal legend Winterburn believes the club could be left powerless yet again if Aubameyang decides he's had enough in north London and believes Mikel Arteta is the only man that can convince him to commit his long-term future.
“If a player wants to leave and run down his contract, there's not really anything you can do," Winterburn told Love Sport Radio.
“It doesn't matter who you are or who you have at your club - if the player wants to leave, he will leave.
“Aubameyang will have his own views on what he wants to do. Players hold the key to everything now - you cannot force a player to sign.
“It's crazy if the club don't want him to stay that's crazy, but Arteta will try to persuade him with style of play, and who comes in to the club, too.”
.jpg?w=600)
