Rio Ferdinand believes Mikel Arteta should change his style at Arsenal to get the best out of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners captain has netted just once in the Premier League so far this season, but did score a fine hat-trick in the Carabao Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion last month.
Aubameyang struggled last season in the Premier League, with the 32-year-old scoring just 10 goals throughout the disappointing campaign for his club.
Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports last month, insisted that last term was a one-off for his captain and backed him to get back to firing this time around.
The Arsenal boss said this in August: "Absolutely I do [think last season was a one-off] because he's done it his whole career.
"Last year was a really special context for a player to go through. There were a lot of things he had to go through both professionally and in his private life.
"We are trying to give all the help and support we can to make him happy - which I think is a really important word for him - in order to perform, to flow, and to play with confidence and do what he has always done."
Now, former Manchester United defender Ferdinand has told Arteta exactly what he needs to do to get the Gabon striker firing once again.
Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast on YouTube, he said: “I love Aubameyang. I think he’s a wicked finisher. But I don’t think they’re playing to his strengths, they need to get the ball forward quicker, if they can get it forward quick and running through teams, and in full flow, he’s as good as most.
"When he’s smiling and he’s on form, he makes Arsenal a considerably better team.
"They have no one else who is finishing chances like him. More often than not, if Arsenal are 0-0 or behind, and they haven’t got him on form and scoring, then they haven’t got anyone else, really, who is going to bang you goals.”
Aubameyang is set to start Arsenal's home clash with Tottenham on Sunday but is likely to sit out of their Carabao Cup tie with AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners skipper has less than two years remaining on his contract and the club could face a big decision over where his future lies when the next summer transfer window comes around.
