Nigel Winterburn doesn’t think Arsenal will be able to stop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving the club if he wants out.
The 30-year-old has just under 18 months remaining on his current contract and is reportedly reluctant to sign a new deal with the Gunners unlikely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Despite an encouraging start to new manager Mikel Arteta’s reign, Aubameyang is said to have told Unai Emery’s successor that he has no intention of committing his long-term future to Arsenal.
Aubameyang broke his silence on Thursday when he said that he was “100%” committed to the club despite rumours he could leave for Barcelona.
“If a player wants to leave and run down his contract, there’s not really anything you can do,” former Gunners defender Winterburn told Love Sport Radio.
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“It doesn’t matter who you are or who you have at your club – if the player wants to leave, he will leave.
“Aubameyang will have his own views on what he wants to do. Players hold the key to everything now – you cannot force a player to sign.
“It’s crazy if the club don’t want him to stay that’s crazy, but Arteta will try to persuade him with style of play, and who comes in to the club, too.”