Arsenal have lost control in Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pursuit, says Ian Wright

James Benge17 January 2018

Arsenal legend Ian Wright has accused his former club of losing control of their transfer policy in their pursuit of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners are trying to take Mkhitaryan from Manchester United as part of a deal that would send Alexis Sanchez, in the final six months of his contract, to Old Trafford. Arsenal pursued the Armenian international before he joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2016 only to fall out of manager Jose Mourinho’s affections.

Separately Arsenal are pursuing Dortmund striker Aubameyang with the German giants open to doing business for the 28-year-old, who was dropped from their matchday squad last week for disciplinary reasons.

Both of the pair were scouted by new Arsenal head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and developed a formidable partnership over three seasons at the Westfalenstadion. However Wright believes the Gunners’ recruitment of Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang is indicative of muddled thinking at the Emirates.

“Everything that is happening is being forced on them through other people,” he told Sky Sports.

“Mkhitaryan is not a player Arsenal have been after - he's a player that Arsenal have been handed.

“It's the same with Aubameyang - a couple of years ago, he was on everyone's radar but now he's gone a bit cold. Then all of a sudden, he's on Arsenal's radar - that feels panicky for me.

“Of course they are both quality players. But if you are losing Sanchez, you need players that will hit the ground running. I'm not sure about Mkhitaryan's state of mind right now.

“Aubameyang looks like he can knick a goal but again he’s going to need to hit the ground running.”

Aubameyang has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances this season and across the last three campaigns has 100 in 118 matches.

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