Gary Lineker reckons only Aubameyang would get into Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham teams as he launches passionate defence of Arsenal boss Unai Emery
The new Gunners boss has come under intense scrutiny as he struggles to get his side back into the Champions League
ONLY Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would get into Manchester City, Liverpool or Tottenham's sides.
That is the opinion of Gary Lineker, who launched a passionate defence of Arsenal boss Unai Emery.
The Spaniard has come under heavy scrutiny this season as he struggles to get his side back into the Champions League.
Arsenal currently sit fifth in the Premier League, a point behind the resurgent Manchester United and level with Chelsea, while Aubameyang has 15 league goals this season, bettered only by Mo Salah and Sergio Aguero.
But with the form the Red Devils are in under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it looks increasingly likely Arsenal fans will be subjected to another season of Europa League football.
Lineker, though, reckons Emery is doing as well as he possibly can considering the squad he has at his disposal and the lack of transfer funds.
The former Spurs and England striker, 58, told : “They didn’t have the squad to compete when Arsene Wenger was there let alone now, so what is Emery really supposed to have been able to do so far?
“How many of their team would get in Tottenham, Manchester City or Liverpool’s side? Ask yourself that.
“One possibly? Aubameyang? That would be it.
“It’s way too early [to be speculating on Emery’s future], but that’s football in the modern day.
“At some clubs you get more time than others. I suspect at Arsenal you get more time, as you’ve got to look at the longevity of Wenger’s reign.
“He’s a good coach and he’s got a great track record, but it will be really difficult for them to get in the top four – I said that at the start of the season."
Like Manchester United six years ago when Sir Alex Ferguson left, Arsenal are going through a period of change after a long-term manager moved on.
And Lineker recognised the difficulties this can bring, suggesting Emery is a good coach and just needs time to make his mark.
The Match of the Day presenter added: “Football is about the players first and foremost. You need a good coach to go with that and have strong recruitment in place – which has also been a topic of debate recently.
“It takes time to rebuild a club especially after a manager has been at a club for such a long time.
“They become so dominant regarding everything about the club.
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“We saw the same thing with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
“He was so key to the structure of the club, so when he eventually left it was a monumental change.
“I’m sure that’s the same as when Arsene Wenger left Arsenal.
“It’s going to take time for everyone at the club to adjust to that and create a new aura around the place.”
Former Gooner Emmanuel Petit also questioned Arsenal's approach to the new era post-Wenger.
The Frenchman said: “If you sack Wenger and then say to the guy who replaces him you have no money to spend on new players, I would ask what was the point of sacking Wenger in the first place?”