Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the latest star name to consider a move away from Arsenal because the club are not competing for major trophies and have a “decision-making policy problem”, says Charlie Nicholas.
Speculation continues to suggest that the prolific Gabonese striker could soon be lured away from Emirates Stadium as he approaches the final 12 months of his current contract. Various new clubs have been mooted, with the general consensus being that Aubameyang wants to challenge for major silverware as he approaches his 31st birthday.
Arsenal have become accustomed to seeing top talent slip the net, with mistakes at board level allowing too many proven performers to move on as questionable cover is then acquired in the transfer market.
Former Gunners striker Nicholas told Sky Sports: “For years and years under Arsene Wenger we sold [Patrick] Vieira, we sold [Thierry] Henry, we sold most of our big players.
“We didn’t always get it right but went with the likes of Cesc Fabregas – who was a fabulous talent – because they were younger and they were always threatening to lose them quite young and not get the benefits of them.
“I can use the example of not just Fabregas, but [Aaron] Ramsey. We do all the hard work with Ramsey, then we let his contract run down and at 28 years of age he disappears for nothing.
“We have had a problem at the top level for a long time. Dare I say it goes back as far as David Dein not being present anymore. You have a problem identifying the players, then we started paying 30-40 million for [Shkodran] Mustafi and defenders who, no disrespect to them, have not cut it.
“They have been buying wrong and the players then realise that they are not a threat to win the Premier League, they are out of the Champions League, so the hierarchy have got it all wrong.
“They get there, they love the club, but then they realise they aren’t going to win any trophies – what’s the point, I want to move on to win trophies.
“If Aubameyang does go, he’ll want to go to a club that wants to win trophies. It’s the same as what [Robin] van Persie did, it’s what they do. Arsenal haven’t got an identity problem, they have got a decision-making policy problem and it has to be sorted at the top end.”
Arsenal need to identify a new chairman to take control of the club, as Sir Chips Keswick is heading into retirement, while it remains to be seen how much backing Mikel Arteta will be given in the next market as he seeks to build on an encouraging start to his reign in north London.
Yokbcosz
1
Every club wants to win trophies and players as a team win trophies.The team fails as a team and running away thinking you are special greediness will haunt you like Sanchez and others who ran to fail
Anuragarsenal
2
Absolutely to the point. The management screwed the club. They are responsible for this situation. And it's been going on for all many years and nothing has improved. The club is deteriorating and the worse is still too come. The management is filled with dumb heads and that don't know what are they doing.
evenezerabraham
2
the whole squad including the subs and reserves need to be erased, blunderers
Cabbdekprt
2
we need that one player at most imp in this transfer window
gwikid67
0
im Dissapointed 😑
vidceinpt
0
hi know one day someone will take over of arsenal from star kronke look at new Castle now.my belove arsenal can not complete with big club again is pains me
FaithEvans
0
Ex players are just the preachers of doom, very rarely do u get one that always have something positive to say
Sosst
1
I hate to agree with him but i believe this to be true,Arsenal at best is a mid table team.It hurts to say but truth be told Arsenal has to do better with players they bring in.Arteta is a good fit,He needs more ambitious players
Nafiz00
2
sell him big around 40-50 mil...and buy partey....auba can easily replace by martenili... they need defencive mid and decent cb....they will be stable for sure.... then they can compete...
emondorock
1
If Arsenal had players that stepped up we wouldnt be in this position.The likes of Ozil at £350,000 a week is a outrage considering the return on investment.How can we Not compete for trophies paying such high wages....well that is all about to stop as we fall down the ladder and loose out on prize monies.
Soybckly
0
JordanFrivet
0
I believe that if Mikel Arteta succeed to inculcate good and strategical values of his style of play in the players, with a desire to work under his conditions. The players will have entire confident in his ambition and will opt for things like winning big trophies after on. It's true that Arteta is still a young manager, but lots of work is required from the players also, to make him flourish as a heading coach to lead the club for bigger challenges. On the other hand, selling and buying of players to boost the squad and to rectify in lacking positions is left to be thought accordingly to the poor Financial suitability of the club.
akintolatoyinr123
1
lf you want,l beg leave without wasting time and allow the club and fans concentrating on others important issues and areas that need attention.
Hetadeilny
1
They were just playing for money not trophies,if he want go,he should go and give the young lad to perform
Adetunjiogunjobi34
2
This guy is really frustrating, why who he mentioned Mustafi name he did not even give him respect at all is the only one ☝️ playing for Arsenal? This is also a racist when he was playing nobody dear mention his name in a bad way
mukuki
1
if u wanna go u must go and if u wanna stay...
Winaenosy
2
Man...u No🤔🤔🤔🤔😥😥😫😪😪😪
Cemainpsy
0
We are tired of who is leaving who is staying. If the players are not hungry to play for Arsenal let them go. Is not the same player that made us to be out of Europa? Players nowadays are just playing for money. Let him go he will go the of ALEX. Nobody is indispensable.
you should be blaming the board for not getting the right people.........every time there is no transfer money and you expect arterta to get results when he is not been backed...........emery said he did not want pepe and arsenal bought him for 80m and spent 8 on a weak defender. ........that 80m can get you better defenders and midfielders .........
Cemainpsy
0
We are tired of who is leaving who is staying. If the players are not hungry to play for Arsenal let them go. Is not the same player that made us to be out of Europa? Players nowadays are just playing for money. Let him go he will go the of ALEX. Nobody is indispensable.
you should be blaming the board for not getting the right people.........every time there is no transfer money and you expect arterta to get results when he is not been backed...........emery said he did not want pepe and arsenal bought him for 80m and spent 8 on a weak defender. ........that 80m can get you better defenders and midfielders
Layabors
3
We are tired of who is leaving who is staying. If the players are not hungry to play for Arsenal let them go. Is not the same player that made us to be out of Europa? Players nowadays are just playing for money. Let him go he will go the of ALEX. Nobody is indispensable.
james21689
0
The chairman doesn't play the match I think it's a task of players to turn up during the game, Arsenal got a better squad than the likes of wolves, liechsters but what Gunners delivers during a match is totally ashaming nowadays..
who is a spurs fan here
Fecbclnryz
2
if he want go let him go
Gunners4ever❤
0
see your self u are comparing u think in the likes of wolves
Lol Wolves won more League titles than your club Spurs and you are trolling us using them[Crylaugh]
Medchriss
0
whatever
james21689
0
The chairman doesn't play the match I think it's a task of players to turn up during the game, Arsenal got a better squad than the likes of wolves, liechsters but what Gunners delivers during a match is totally ashaming nowadays..
see your self u are comparing u think in the likes of wolves
tahadlpyz
0
The chairman doesn't play the match I think it's a task of players to turn up during the game, Arsenal got a better squad than the likes of wolves, liechsters but what Gunners delivers during a match is totally ashaming nowadays..
buffy17
1
“The club is not fighting for trophies”.. they are the players, they’re supposed to be fighting for trophies, or do you want the president to score goals?
I wonder 😅
Rucblmsyz
0
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
Charlie is probably correct, the policy and decision making at arsenal is wrong, totally wrong. they don't know which area to strengthen. they get wrong advice to pick wrong players.
Hesiorsuy
0
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
What sense is he making?
Hesiorsuy
0
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
Is it the system that competes, or the team and players?
Slim2dor
3
“The club is not fighting for trophies”.. they are the players, they’re supposed to be fighting for trophies, or do you want the president to score goals?
Fupcekmnop
0
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
I think u are wrong man the system is not right at arsenal
Nohabiortz
0
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
shut up mate, Charlie's making sense
Hesiorsuy
2
Stupid Charlie! Any team competes when the players are performing, i would have thought. So if the team is not competing it’s literally because Auba and co are not up for the task.
seifealves
0
we will be back
tobcoleman
2
Savage[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]