Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has likened Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's contract situation to what he saw during Luis Suarez' time at Anfield.
The Gunners face a dilemma this summer with their top scorer having just one year remaining on his current deal.
Arsenal can either sell Aubameyang for a fee this summer or face the prospect of losing him for nothing next summer if he does not sign a contract in the meantime.
And the situation reminds Carragher of what he saw between Liverpool and former frontman Suarez, who left the Reds after three years for Barcelona in 2014.
“Towards the end of my career [Liverpool] were in this situation quite a lot where you're just missing out on the top four,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“It's okay saying we have rules in place and saying we never let players go on a Bosman ruling, but if you're Mikel Arteta I would be looking at it and thinking: have we got more of a chance – even if he goes for nothing next year – of getting to the Champions League before next season if Aubameyang stays?
“That's the decision they've got to make. At this stage, there's no doubt about it: Aubameyang is too good for Arsenal. We had that at Liverpool at times with Luis Suarez and certain players you're desperate to keep hold of.
“You're thinking as a club that you want to build around this player and if that player goes, you almost feel like you're starting again. That's the problem you have when you're trying to get back into the top four and establish yourself as Arsenal are trying to do.
“That'll be a decision for them. It's okay saying, 'if he doesn't want to be there then let him go', but it's not easy when you're at a club and have a player with such star quality who is probably nailed on every season to be there or thereabouts for the Golden Boot.
“It's not easy to find goalscorers. I'd keep him – he gives Arsenal a greater chance of getting into the top four.”
Aubameyang is the Premier League's second top-scorer so far this season with 17 goals.
The 30-year-old Gabon international joined Arsenal in 2018 from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record £56 million
