Former England international Darren Bent feels Arsenal won’t regret letting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave despite his phenomenal form at Barcelona.
The 32-year-old joined the Gunners in January 2018 for a then club-record £60m fee. He has been a prolific striker for the Emirates club, having scored 92 goals in over 150 games across all competitions.
However, things took a drastic turn for the worse late last year. He was stripped of the captain’s armband for an alleged breach of disciplinary code and was also left out of the squad. The striker left the club on mutual consent during the winter transfer window and joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
The Gabon international has enjoyed a great start to life in Spain. He has netted five goals in just six appearances, scoring a hat-trick in his first La Liga start for the club. This transfer move seems to have resurrected his career.
Despite the striker’s rejuvenated form, Bent believes the north Londoners have made the correct decision to move him on. He insists Aubameyang would not have had the same impact at Arsenal as he is having at Barcelona. In an interview with talkSPORT, the ex-Premier League star said:
“No, they won’t [regret it] because he wasn’t showing that kind of form at Arsenal. I think he’d gone stale there. Clearly, he wasn’t happy at Arsenal. Arteta didn’t think he featured in their plans.”
“He’s gone to Barcelona, he looks rejuvenated. He looks like he’s got a point to prove, he is scoring goals. And I’d expect that a lot of strikers go to new clubs and hit the ground running. That’s exactly what he’s done.”
“But he wouldn’t have had the same impact at Arsenal as he’s having at Barcelona because it just looked like it had come to the end. He was frustrated, the club was frustrated. It was the right decision for both parts.”
Arsenal Fever View:
The Gunners have made the right decision in axing Aubameyang. He is, undoubtedly, a world-class striker who has guided the club to FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs. But the Gabon international has been a shadow of his former self in recent months.
The 32-year-old had struggled in north London this campaign. He had managed to score just four League goals in fourteen appearances. The decision to part ways looks to be a sensible one for both parties.
However, the Gunners need serious reinforcements in the striking department. Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah have not been clinical in front of the goal this season. If the club aims to compete with the best teams in Europe, they have to sign a striker who is capable of providing the firepower for years to come.
Read More: Ian Wright feels Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette struggled vs Wolves
