In a recent interview with talkSPORT on Monday’s Sports Breakfast, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has urged the Gunners to cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to fund a move for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha this summer. Speaking to talkSPORT, Parlour said, “If you look at their ages, you’ve got to say Zaha, haven’t you? Potentially he’s got many more years left in him.
“Aubameyang, as much as a good player he is, he’s 30 now, and once you get over 30 your body starts going downhill, you get a few more niggles and recovery time is a bit longer.
“So in that respect you’d have Zaha, but if you had to sell Aubameyang to Man United to get Zaha, you might look at it differently – even though Alex Sanchez has gone to United and he’s been a disaster.
“In an ideal world you’d keep Aubameyang and Lacazette and also bring in Zaha, that’s the ideal solution.
“But with their financial situation, Crystal Palace are asking for £100m but if Arsenal did want him they’d be going in at £50m I would imagine.”
The Gunners legend makes some good points regarding how Aubameyang could find life hard as he heads into the twilight years of his career. Zaha would be an ideal acquisition for the North London outfit as he is younger and has the potential to become world-class in the coming years.
Zaha’s Majestic Form For Palace Last Season
Zaha enjoyed another brilliant season at Selhurst Park in the previous term when he helped Roy Hodgson’s side secure an impressive 12th placed finish in the Premier League standings. The Ivory Coast international registered ten goals and provided ten assists in 36 appearances for the Eagles last season across all competitions. The 26-year-old has also represented Ivory Coast in nine international matches and has scored two goals for them so far.
What Will The Ivory Coast Wing Wizard Offer On The Field?
Zaha is one of the quickest players in English football, and his blistering pace enables him to make well-timed runs behind the opposition defence. He has added more productivity to his game in recent seasons. The ex-Manchester United sensation has built a reputation of earning penalties as he can be a tricky player for the opposing defenders in the offensive end of the pitch.
However, there is still some doubt over whether Zaha can handle the pressure of playing for a top 6 club like Arsenal. The Ivory Coast speedster will be expected to deliver every time he steps on the turf of the Emirates Stadium which could be a problem as he has previously failed to perform at the highest level (as evidenced by his spell at Old Trafford).
Auba Out, Zaha In: Good Move For Arsenal?
Arsenal should listen to Parlour’s advice and try cashing in on Aubameyang to fund a move for Zaha this summer. It will be an ideal move for them in the long-run, but there is no hiding from the fact that the Gunners will suffer without the goals from ‘Auba’ in the upcoming campaign.
