Tony Cascarino claims he didn’t even know Arsenal had substituted on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in their 1-0 loss to Aston Villa, because of how ineffective he was.
The Arsenal captain earned a new big-money contract at the start of this season, but his performances have tailed off since then.
He was one player that the club could rely on for goals even if he came off the bench. But now, even when he starts games he makes very little impact.
The striker came on for Alexandre Lacazette in the loss to Villa alongside Willian, but they could do nothing to change the scoreline.
Cascarino says Arteta cannot afford to have those two experienced players in his team if they cannot deliver the goods.
He went on to slam Aubameyang for his anonymous displays and say he didn’t even know the striker had been brought on in the game.
‘Arsenal got frustrated,’ Cascarino said on talkSPORT about the 1-0 defeat as quoted by Mail Sport.
‘The biggest disappointment for Arsenal is when you see two players that come on, who have been quality… Willian was poor, he kept giving away the ball, and Aubameyang.
‘These are two top-quality players who have done a hell of a lot in football that came on and made no impact at all.
‘Aubameyang, I didn’t even know he’d really come on. He’s been far too anonymous this year as a player because he is a player that Mikel Arteta can’t afford for him not to change games and make things happen.’