Arteta quizzed about Aubameyang as Arsenal defeat West Ham
Arsenal icon Alan Smith has warned the club’s transfer chief Edu that Mikel Arteta’s squad has a ‘gaping hole’ which needs to be addressed. The Gunners have moved up to fourth in the Premier League table after an impressive run of form over the autumn.
Star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of his captaincy earlier this week after a disciplinary breach.
The Gabon striker was left out of the squad for his side’s victories over Southampton and West Ham and will not feature against Leeds this weekend either.
Alexandre Lacazette has led the Arsenal frontline in Aubameyang’s absence and got on the scoresheet against the Saints.
But the France international is out of contract next summer and has already said that he will leave the Emirates Stadium at the end of the campaign.
With Aubameyang not currently being considered for matches, the Gunners are already short up front.
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“Lacazette also looks like he's going to be leaving the club and Arsenal need to be looking at some younger talent in the striker position.
“So, the striker position looks to be a gaping hole in the squad that needs to be filled, no matter what happened with Aubameyang and happens with the other strikers in the squad.
“I'm sure they are very busy in the recruitment department, the analysts and others scouring the world to see what is out there.
“What I would say about Arsenal is that their recruitment department seems to be much more efficient now and more successful when you look at Takehiro Tomiyasu, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is apparently in need of a new forward (Image: GETTY)
“Ben White has also come into his own, albeit for £50million, but the other lads were relatively cheap and they seem to be buying better in general.
“Of course, it's harder to do that when it comes to a striker because everyone is after that next striker at a decent price, so they are going to have to be sharp in the transfer market.”
The Gunners travel to Elland Road on Saturday in the late kick-off and could move four points clear of fifth-place, with West Ham and Manchester United not in action after their matches were cancelled due to ongoing coronavirus outbreaks in the Premier League.