Arsenal legend Paul Merson has advised Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay put at Arsenal for the time being.

The 30-year-old Gabonese International’s contract will expire at the end of the current 2019/20 season and has been linked with a move away from the Emirates.

But Merson says Aubameyang is at a great club that will appreciate him and should sign a contract extension.

“It’s easy saying move to another, more ambitious club and win stuff but there are not a lot of trophies to win, especially with the two phenomenal football clubs: Liverpool and Manchester City,” said Merson in his popular Sky Sports column.

“I was very fortunate to play for Arsenal for a long time and make no mistake about it, it’s a great club. The grass is not always green on the other side, you have got to be careful.”

He adds, “Aubameyang is at an age now where he will play every week for Arsenal. If he goes to, say, Manchester United or somewhere else, four or five bad games and you are out of the team

“He’s going to play every week at Arsenal and when you are coming towards the end of your career, two or three years ago, you have got to enjoy your football and play.

“If I were Aubameyang’s agent, I would be stressing that he is at one of the best clubs in the world, a phenomenal football club that has as much chance as anybody, bar Manchester City and Liverpool, winning something.

“For me, I would stay.”

Merson’s comments come to light after the president of Gabon’s football association Jean-Pierre Alain Mounguengui questioned whether the North London club have enough ambition to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The top man at Gabon’s FEGAFOOT association suggested that Aubameyang finds a more ambitious club when his contract expires at the end of the 2019/20 season.

“I don’t want to say that Arsenal aren’t ambitious, but Arsenal don’t have ambitions as high as some other clubs as far as Europe is concerned,” Mounguengui was quoted by ESPN.

“So if Pierre could secure a contract with a more ambitious club, he’d definitely find his place there.

“On an individual level, we all consider him to be among the best players in the world, but the advice I give to him is to continue to work and to attract the attention of the biggest clubs and the most ambitious clubs.

“Football is a collective sport. Right now, he’s at Arsenal, and he’s won nothing here, so it’s a collective failing.”

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer