Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would not have got into Arsene Wenger's pre-2000 Gunners teams.
Aubameyang was the jewel in Arsenal's crown heading into this season, earning a new contract at the club after impressing in his first two years at the club.
But the Gabon international has enjoyed a difficult start to this season, only scoring five goals in 15 games across all competitions, leading to criticism from fans and pundits alike.
And perhaps influenced by Aubameyang's most recent form, former Gunner Winterburn has claimed the striker would not get into many of the Arsenal teams he himself played in.
Asked by Fantasy5 which players he played with would get into the current team under Mikel Arteta, he replied: "It's a completely different game and completely different style of football now. Do I think the players I played with could play today? Yes, I do.
"I've played with some sensational players in terms of teamwork in '89 under George Graham when we won the league. I don't think at that period of time when you look back that individually we would have been classed as the best team.
"But as units throughout the pitch we had the most desire to win a game of football that season, I have no doubt in my mind.
"We went on to have the back four we did, then back five with David Seaman. Tony Adams would get into any of these Arsenal teams, most of the players would.
"I enjoyed it all. The learning curve under George (Graham) was incredible and how he bonded us into a unit. In terms of pure football, I absolutely loved playing Arsene Wenger's style of football and particularly that '98 double team when you look at the likes of Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Marc Overmars, Nicholas Anelka - I mean, boy oh boy.
"The players that came in were incredible and were huge for the football club."
He was then asked which current players would get into the best teams he played in, to which he said: "I look at this team today.
"I think there's maybe one or two that get into the squad back then, but I'm not sure there would be anybody I would swap out of those teams I played in."
Quizzed on whether Aubameyang would make the cut, he added: "Who would I put him in for? Would I put him in instead of Ian Wright? Would I put him in instead of Thierry Henry? I don't think many people would take that hit.
"I'd have him in the squad. I'd have Bukayo Saka in the squad, for sure. There's probably a couple more."
