Aubameyang isn't another Alexis - Wright urges Arsenal's £55m new boy to be himself

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang must be left to do what he does best, says Ian Wright, with Arsenal’s record signing not an Alexis Sanchez clone.

The Gunners saw their 30-goal top scorer from 2016-17 head for the exits during the January transfer window as a want-away figure secured himself a switch to Manchester United.

Arsene Wenger landed Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of a swap deal and had already added Alexandre Lacazette to his ranks over the summer. 

He was, however, to splash out another £55 million on Aubameyang, with the Gabon international snapped up after proving himself to be a prolific marksman at St Etienne and Borussia Dortmund.

The 28-year-old is already up and running for Arsenal and Wright wants Arsenal to make the most of his predatory instincts rather than demand that he replicates the work rate of Sanchez.  

The Gunners legend told Radio 5 Live: “It’s been mentioned about Aubameyang not having enough touches in matches.

“He can get away with that.

“If he stays right at the top there and let him get on with it, then why do you want touches when you’ve got [Mesut] Ozil, Mkhitaryan and all those players?

“You can stay on the edge and not touch it.

“If Arsenal can play to his strengths, he’s that kind of player who could have four touches and score four goals.”

Wenger will be hoping to see that prediction proved correct.

Aubameyang’s classy finish on debut against Everton – albeit having strayed offside – helped to show what he will bring to the Arsenal cause if given regular sights of goal.

He should get plenty as well, with Mkhitaryan a player he knows well from his days at Dortmund and Ozil finally free of the uncertainty which has clouded his campaign after committing to a new contract.