Wenger

Arsene Wenger may not have been fully on board with the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – according to Paul Merson at least.

He thinks the Arsenal boss usually looks for top value signings, with players who can then be sold on to generate money for the club, and signing the forward for such a huge sum from BVB represents a break from this policy.

Merson thinks it’s akin to the Robin van Persie transfer Manchester United forced through – and Wenger only has one thing in mind when it comes to the player and what he can bring to the club.

“These don’t seem like Arsene Wenger signings to me,” Merson told Sky Sports’ The Debate.

“When has he ever bought a 29-year-old for £60m with no sell-on clause? Never ever.

“Sir Alex Ferguson did it a few years ago. 

“He said he needed to win the league and he got Robin van Persie to score him the goals to get above Manchester City.

“There was no sell-on, he got him to win the league, then he planned to retire. 

“The Aubameyang signing says to me, ‘this is a top-four signing then see you later.’”

Trophies

If the claim holds true and the forward has only been brought in to win trophies or get Arsenal into the top four, he may well have a job on his hands.

The Gunners are miles off the pace in the Premier League and will probably have to settle for a spot in the Europa League again, with even fifth place looking out of their grasp – and in terms of trophies, the Premier League is obviously out.

They are in the final of the Carabao Cup, and that looks like their best chance of a trophy, especially considering the level of sides who are in the Europa League this season.