Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang "is past his best".
That is the view of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp who has delivered a rather scathing assessment of the 31-year-old after he was marshalled by Ruben Dias and John Stones in the Gunners' 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.
Aubameyang's s form this season has been a concern for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, but the striker has shown signs of producing his best form with five goals in his last two Premier League starts ahead of City's visit.
Last weekend he netted a hat-trick - his first-ever in the Premier League - in a 4-2 win over Leeds United, but failed to muster a single shot on goal against Pep Guardiola's side.
And Redknapp is of the opinion that Aubameyang, whilst still capable of producing special moments, is past his best with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka now leading the way at Arsenal.
"Aubameyang is past his best," Redknapp said on Sky Sports. "He's going to have moments; he's going to get hat-tricks.
"But when I watch him sometimes, it's like he's lost his superpower.
"I saw him run past people when he first came to the Premier League. I saw him run past people at Dortmund.
"Now I'm seeing a player who looks like he's going to get bullied.
"He's your leading light, but the likes of [Bukayo] Saka and [Emile] Smith Rowe, they're the ones leading the way."
Such comments should be of concern to Arteta and could also reveal what technical director Edu's next transfer mission ahead of the summer window is.
If Aubameyang is on the decline, as Redknapp suggests, then the Gunners will need to bring in a new striker to score the goals that helps mount a top-four challenge next season.
Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard is a name that has long been linked with a move to Arsenal and his contract at Celtic Park expires at the end of next season and there are no signs that he will be signing a renewal.
As a result, Neil Lennon's side risk losing Edouard for free in 2022 if they don't sell him this summer and they have been told by former striker Andy Walker to accept an offer of just £15m.
"Odsonne Edouard realises that he’s got ability and is worth a lot of money,” Walker told the Scottish Football Podcast. “How much? I’m not sure, as he’s not been firing on all cylinders.
"Edouard didn’t appear totally committed, and I think now he realises it’s not so long until the summer transfer window.
"He’ll get his move now, so how much money will Celtic get for him?
"It all depends on how much they’re willing to accept, but if they got anything around £15m now I think you’re absolutely doing business."
