‘He is world class’, Bacary Sagna heaps praise on Arsenal star

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has acknowledged that he has changed his opinion on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after watching the forward in action over the past year.

The Gabon international has spent more than two years with the Gunners since his move from Borussia Dortmund and he has been the standout performer in this period with a tally of 61 goals and 13 assists from 97 games.

Speaking to Goal.com, Sagna said that he did not think Aubameyang was a world-class player 12 months ago but his opinion has changed with the Gabon international being more clinical in front of goal with better movement.

“One year ago someone asked me if he was world class and I replied no. Some people were not happy about my answer, but to me he had the potential to be better and to be more clinical,” he told.

“One year later, yes he is world class because every time he is in front of goal he scores. Even his movement is different. He is clinical, he is so dangerous.”As a defender you don’t want to be facing this type of player.”

Aubameyang has contributed towards more than 40 per cent of the Gunners’ goals in the Premier League and has scored 17 times from 26 appearances.

He needs only six more goals to beat the tally (22) from the previous top-flight campaign and has a good chance to do so when the season resumes after the suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Still, the main topic surrounds the future of the 31-year-old forward, who has yet to renew his contract with the north London club beyond the summer of 2021.

The current global crisis has put everything related to football on hold but the fans will be hoping that the club can find the breakthrough in the negotiations in the coming months.

In the worst case, the hierarchy may sanction Aubameyang’s sale in the final year of his contract but Sagna has urged the club to do whatever it takes to keep hold of the player’s services.