Former Premier League striker Dimitar Berbatov has said that a lack of silverware during his time at Arsenal could make it hard for the club to keep hold of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, despite there being things that could convince the player to stay at the Emirates Stadium for a bit longer
The striker will have just one year remaining on his contract at the end of this season, meaning that the Gunners will have to have a decision to make over the future of their player. But speaking to Betfair, Berbatov says that the club should fight to keep their captain.
“This week there have been lots of rumours surrounding the future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it would be a massive blow for Arsenal if he left the club,” he said.
“In my opinion they need to do everything possible to stop him from leaving. I watched him closely at Dortmund and at Arsenal, and for me he is a great player with his speed, his movement and his goals. He is also their captain and a really important player for the team, he is out of contract next year and they should do everything possible to keep him.
“If he wants to leave, it will be difficult for teams to sign him because Arsenal will want a lot of money for him, and of course he is worth it. In the current situation teams are looking seriously at their budget and I think it will be hard for clubs to afford him. But, I have no doubt that teams will be looking at his situation and taking a lot of interest in it.”
There is one factor that Berbatov says could be on the top of the player’s mind when thinking about a possible move.
“You have to ask if Aubameyang is happy at Arsenal and, if he isn't, I can understand why,” he added. “Football is about winning trophies and we all know Arsenal are a team that play attractive football but in the end they have been left empty-handed quite a lot of times. That can be frustrating for a player.”
There are however four reasons that the striker could decide to stay at the club.
“The way of life, the way football is conducted, his team mates and the life his family have in London, are all things that could make him stay. Being a footballer in London is great, and it's one of the best things ever, especially when you play for a big team like Arsenal,” Berbatov insisted. “The only things he is missing are trophies.”
Berbatov did though have a warning for Aubameyang should he decide to move on from Arsenal.
“Barcelona and Real Madrid are the favourites to sign him and as a play in that situation your head is going to spin.
“Aubameyang needs to calculate his options to see if he's going to benefit and be happy moving to these types of teams. From his perspective, either of them is a good move because they are two of the best teams in the world, but then you have to look at their line ups, which include Messi, Suarez, Griezmann, Dembele, Fati, Benzema, Bale, Hazard.
“Would Aubameyang play much in either of those squads? He's not getting any younger, he needs to be at a club where he is going to play and at Arsenal he is the captain. But the biggest factor in all of this is winning trophies.”
The Gabon striker has scored 61 goals in 97 appearances in an Arsenal shirt.
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