Gary Neville: What makes me nervous about new Arsenal signing

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Photo: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang / Instagram

Gary Neville believes Arsenal should be worried that they had no competition to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international became Arsenal’s club record signing on transfer deadline day following a £75m switch to the north London club from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

Aubameyang has signed a long-term contract with the Gunners and will link up with his former Dortmund team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Arsenal.

The 28-year-old built a reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific goal-scorers during his four and a half seasons at Dortmund.

The African forward scored an impressive 141 goals in 213 games in all competitions and finished as the Bundesliga’s top goal-scorer last term.

However, Aubameyang struggled with some issues with ill discipline towards the end of his Dortmund career to raise some slight concerns about his professionalism.

Former Manchester United defender Neville admitted that he found it worrying that Arsenal didn’t have any rivals for the Gabon international’s signature.

“No-one gets a free run at a player like that for that price,” Neville told The Debate on Sky Sports on Thursday night.

“Man City need a striker. Chelsea looking at Giroud. Man United signing Sanchez but never being linked with Aubameyang. You look at Klopp who signed him for Dortmund…

“Arsenal had a free run at him. There was never mention of other clubs for Aubameyang. My nervousness is [that] no-one else came in for him.”

Arsenal lost 3-1 to Premier League strugglers Swansea City on Tuesday night to leave Wenger’s side eight points adrift of the top four.

The Gunners missed out on Champions League qualification last term but could still secure a place in Europe’s top competition if Arsenal win the Europa League this season.

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