Former Arsenal man Alan Smith has urged his old side to make transfer sacrifices in relation to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The striker has been linked with a departure from the Emirates this season as he contemplates his options.
With the 31-year-old having not signed a new deal to extend his stay at the club beyond 2021, Arsenal could well have a decision to make sooner rather than later.
But Smith says that decision should be to do everything to keep Aubameyang, even if that means selling some players to enable the Gunners to up their offer to the Gabon international.
"It was bad enough when the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie left to go and win trophies,” former Arsenal frontman Smith told the Evening Standard. "But at least Arsenal had the means back then to bring in decent replacements, even though they weren’t of the same quality.
“The situation appears different now. Money is extremely tight. Not only that, Arsenal’s cachet has changed. No longer a Champions League competitor, they simply cannot attract the same kind of talent as they could in the good years under Arsene Wenger. Sell your best player now and you lose an awful lot.
“Forget about trying to find someone who can do what Aubameyang does. That’s impossible because it costs way too much. Instead, you’re looking at potential, something to nurture over the next few years.
“If there’s half a chance of persuading Aubameyang to stay, as (Mikel) Arteta hints, the club have got to grab it. Others can be sacrificed, others can be sold, but not this fella. The team is far too reliant on his nose for goal.
“With Alexandre Lacazette struggling and with the injured Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah only just starting out, Aubameyang’s departure would leave a huge hole that any possible replacement couldn’t immediately fill.”
