SHUT IT ARSENE
Wenger hit by Aub rap
ARSENE WENGER has been blasted by Borussia Dortmund for going public in his pursuit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Arsenal boss is ready to splash out in excess of £50m for the Gabon international.
Wenger (right) yesterday said the striker would be a “good fit” at the Gunners. But that has angered Dortmund, who claim he should be concentrating on improving his side’s fortunes, rather than trying to lure their prize asset.
Dortmund’s technical director Michael Zorc said: “We find it disrespectful to respond to questions
about players from other clubs. There is no contact with Arsenal.
“We assume that Arsene Wenger is busy enough with the performance of his own players.”
Aubameyang has a dodgy disciplinary history with Dortmund and was last week handed his third suspension inside 12 months for failing to show up for a team meeting.
Hassle
Starsport revealed Wenger had been giving serious thought as to whether the 28-year-old would be worth the money and the potential hassle.
But asked whether Aubameyang would fit in at Arsenal, Wenger replied: “Yes, because a character can be very positive and very negative. Overall you look at the achievement of the player over his career.”
Aubameyang has been left out of Dortmund’s squad for tonight’s trip to Hertha Berlin, although it remain to be seen whether his absence is down to more disciplinary issues or Arsenal’s interest. Zorc added: “Auba trains in Dortmund.
“We have the impression that he is busy with other things in his head and is not fully focused. It’s a difficult situation.”
Aubameyang’s arrival would help ease the blow of losing Alexis Sanchez to Premier League rivals Manchester United, with Wenger admitting they could not compete with the £500,000-a-week wages on offer at Old Trafford.
And the Arsenal boss reckons, the way wages are rising, it will only be a matter of time before a player’s weekly wage packet hits £1m.
“You cannot rule anything out,” said Wenger, who expects players like Sanchez – who run their contracts down and refuse to sign new deals at their current clubs – to continue cashing in thanks to huge wages and monster signing-on fees.
Wenger saw a similar thing happen with star striker Robin van Persie, who joined Manchester United for £24m in 2012 when he had a year left on his Gunners deal.
“That will happen more and more,” said Wenger.