Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ‘the most important striker in Arsenal’s history’ over Thierry Henry and Ian Wright, says Darren Bent

Darren Bent has revealed to talkSPORT why he believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ‘the most important striker in Arsenal’s history’.

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The Gunners are reportedly ready to offer their talisman goalscorer and club captain new big-money contract after he single-handedly led them to a historic 14th FA Cup this weekend.

Arsenal were already indebted to the 31-year-old Gabon international for even making it to the final, after he scored twice to seal a surprise victory over Manchester City in the semi-final.

And Aubameyang was at the double again in Saturday’s final against Chelsea, as the Gunners fought back from an early goal down to win 2-1, sealing their place in next season's Europa League and marking the end of Mikel Arteta’s first season as manager with his first piece of silverware.

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The game was further proof of the hitman's importance to Arteta’s team, and yet there are still big doubts over his future.

Aubameyang has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and it is claimed he wants a new deal worth around £250,000-a-week to commit to the north London club.

Boyhood Gooner Bent insists Arsenal would be stupid to do anything else but give the striker ‘exactly what he wants’ to secure his long-term future, branding Aubameyang ‘the most important striker in Arsenal’s history’.

And he explained why that bold claim is NOT an affront to Highbury heroes Thierry Henry and Ian Wright… honestly.

“I’d pay him what exactly he wants,” the former Premier League star told the talkSPORT Breakfast.

“Listen, the performance he showed in the the semi-final against [Man] City and then in the final - two big, big stages where Arsenal weren’t really given a chance to win - he single-handedly pulled them out of the fire and won them the game.

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“It’s a no-brainer, they should be trying everything they can, even if that means sacrificing certain players and moving them on to keep him there, I’d do it.

“Ozil is one, but that’s going to be tricky because I can’t see him walking away, he’ll want to collect every penny of his wages, [Sead] Kolasinac on his ridiculous wages [he reportedly earns around £150,000-a-week] I’d let him go and I would even let Hector Bellerin go because we’ve seen Ainsley Maitland-Niles play there and do a good job.

“There are players who are surplus to requirements; Arsenal have got seven centre-halfs as well, so surely if they let a couple of those go…

“Aubameyang is their main man, you could even make the argument that he is the most important striker in Arsenal’s history!

“Now, when I say that, I’m not saying he’s the best striker in Arsenal’s history, because of Thierry Henry and Ian Wright… but Henry played in a very good Arsenal team and they’ve had great teams in he past.

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“And you look at this Arsenal team now, if you take Aubameyang out it’s mediocre at best.

“They don’t win the FA Cup, they don’t even finish eighth in the Premier League and probably would have finished around 12th without him.

“He’s doing it at a time where Arsenal need their centre-forward the absolute most.”