What Alan Smith has noticed about Aubameyang that shows Wenger has lost control

Arsenal went some way to winning over any fans dissatisfied with Alexis Sanchez's departure by signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund.

The Gabon international has been courted by some of the biggest clubs in the world, after scoring 98 goals in 144 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, but it is the Gunners who've got his signature for a club-record fee.

It means they've broken their transfer record twice in the space of six months, with Alexandre Lacazette joining from Lyon for a similar fee during the summer.

He joins Henrikh Mkhitaryan, his former team-mate in Germany, and Konstantinos Mavropanos as the Gunners' January additions, as they look to revitalise their bid for a Champions League push.

And there is no doubt about Aubameyang's attacking prowess, and alongside Mkhitaryan, Lacazette and Mesut Ozil, Arsenal now boast one of the most fearsome attacks in the Premier League.

However, some critics would say that money would've been put to more use on Arsene Wenger's defence, following another dismal performance in the 3-1 defeat to Swansea last night.

That result leaves Arsenal a massive eight points off the Champions League places with 13 games remaining, though they will have a chance to close the gap on Spurs and Liverpool when they meet at Anfield on Sunday.

But Wenger could have bigger problems, according to one club legend.



Former striker Alan Smith, now a Sky Sports pundit and co-commentator, believes this is a clear sign that the Frenchman has lost control of the club's transfer policy.

If true, that would be damning for Wenger, who is once again under severe pressure after a dreadful domestic campaign, having signed a new two-year deal at the end of last season.



A delegation including chief executive Ivan Gazidis and new head of player recruitment Sven Mislintat flew to Germany over a week ago to try and negotiate a deal, which finally saw an agreement over the past few days.

Smith won two league titles and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with Arsenal, and he says that Aubameyang's well-documented attitude problems would normally cause Wenger to steer clear of signing him.

The Gabon man has twice been suspended in the last year for disciplinary reasons by Dortmund, and Smith thinks it's clear he isn't in charge anymore.

"I wouldn’t say Aubameyang is a vital signing. They’ve got Mkhitaryan in to replace Sanchez and they’ve got Lacazette who has his problems at the moment.

"It will give them a boost in the dressing room which is what they might need after losing at Swansea last night.

"He’s got a lot quality, he plays on the shoulder and is very pacey.



"But he’s a bit lively off the pitch and that’s not an Arsene Wenger type of player and that suggests he isn’t in control.

"They’ve got Sven Mislintat in as head of recruitment so maybe he’s pushed that through."

It looks as though it could be the beginning of the end of the Frenchamn at Arsenal, especially if they are starting to reduce his responsibilities at the club.