Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 'needs to leave for a more ambitious club'

Chief of Gabon FA says the attacker is 'among the best players in the world' and should move to a side that can challenge for football's top honours

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates after scoring against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on February 23, taking his Premier League tally for the season to 17. EPA

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores Arsenal's third goal past Jordan Pickford of Everton. Getty Images

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang applauds fans after the match. Reuters

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates with Eddie Nketiah after the match. Reuters

Arsenal's Mesut Oezil during the match against Everton. EPA

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta congratulates Granit Xhaka, left, and Shkodran Mustafi. AP

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores against Everton. EPA

Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been urged to quit the Premier League club by the president of Gabon's football association.

Aubameyang has been a hit at the Emirates since arriving from Borussia Dortmund for £56 million (Dh256m) in 2018, underlining his reputation as one of the leading strikers in world football.

The Gunners have struggled in the Premier League despite his goals – 22 last term and 17 so far in 2019/20 – finishing fifth last season and sitting ninth in the current campaign.

He has been linked with another big-money transfer and Pierre Alain Mounguengui, the Gabonese Football Federation (FEGAFOOT) chief, has suggested his country's star player should look to move elsewhere.

"I don't want to say that Arsenal aren't ambitious, but Arsenal don't have ambitions as high as some other clubs as far as Europe is concerned," he told ESPN.

"So if Pierre could secure a contract with a more ambitious club, he'd definitely find his place there.

"On an individual level, we all consider him to be among the best players in the world, but the advice I give to him is to continue to work and to attract the attention of the biggest clubs and the most ambitious clubs.

"Football is a collective sport. Right now, he's at Arsenal, and he's won nothing here, so it's a collective failing."

Mounguengui, though, insists it is not to late for Aubameyang to join on of Europe's top sides and challenge for the biggest honours.

"All Gabonese people see Aubameyang at this level, where he can now end his career at a major club," he said, "and, above all, beyond individual trophies, to bring home a major competition.

"Auba has the habit of saying that if club honours could come, that wouldn't be bad, but that he could also settle for the personal accolades he's won. As I said, he's a world-class player."