Arsenal should sell Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang because they have ready-made replacements in Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazatte, says Adrian Durham

Adrian Durham believes ‘Arsenal fans’ hearts are ruling their heads’ when it comes to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s future.

The Gunners captain, who has scored 61 goals in 97 appearances in north London, could leave on a free transfer next summer if he fails to sign a new contract with the club - or Arsenal could cash in and sell him this year!

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And talkSPORT host Durham insists Arsenal should choose the latter option because the club have ‘ready-made’ replacements in Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette.

Martinelli has scored ten times throughout his debut campaign in England, while Lacazette is a proven finisher in Europe - though he only has nine goals this term.

Durham told talkSPORT: “Don’t the Arsenal fans think, they’re always banging on about him: 'Martinelli is the next big thing, he’s one of the big bright stars of the future?'

“But actually, he’s scoring goals this season.

"I hear what you’re saying that if you let Aubameyang go, it’s going to be even more expensive to replace him, I get it.

“But haven’t they got a ready-made replacement, not just in Martinelli, but in Lacazette as well?

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“You’ve got a player who could be worth nothing next year, absolutely nothing. What kind of contract could they give him that will persuade him to stay?

“He’s not going to stay on a two-year contract, not a one-year extension. He’s not going to stay for a three, four-year extension, they’re not going to give him that, are they? I don’t think there’s a common sense way that Aubameyang can stay.

“I think the Arsenal fans’ hearts, yet again, are ruling their heads. All they can see is, ‘he scores goals, so he’s got to stay’.

“He’s scoring goals and you are ninth in the table! You need a squad, you need a team. You don’t just need somebody who can score penalties.”

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Aubameyang recently admitted his future remains ‘undecided,’ while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is ‘pretty confident’ over the striker signing a new deal.

Earlier this week, the Spanish coach said: “We have many discussions with Pierre, with his family and his agent.

“I’m pretty positive we can find the right agreement for all parties. I think it is our responsibility to make him feel this is the right next step in his career.

“In order to do that he needs to feel valued, he needs to feel he belongs to us and that we want him.

“He really needs to believe we can take this club forward in the way we want to and he’s going to be a key part.”

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