Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been a revelation for Arsenal since joining the club in 2018, and that form has seen the striker being targeted by European giants Real Madrid.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring his team's first goal in extra-time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal in extra-time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Despite the current pandemic putting on hold the major European and world footballing competitions, clubs are still identifying potential targets for the future with the Gabonese forward tipped as 5/1 to leave London for Madrid. And whilst the season is still in limbo, those missing their weekly accumulator can take advantage of a number of offers such as the Ladbrokes casino free 25 in a bid to entertain themselves and even earn rewards.

Of course, no one can really predict when the sporting world – indeed just the world in general – will be back up and running, but it’s important that when football does begin again that Aubameyang is still an Arsenal player, for the club’s sake.

Proven goalscorer

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after he scores his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

When you come across a forward, the most striking statistic is that of goals. For the Gunners, Aubameyang has netted 49 times in 75 appearances. In fact, in his first full season at Arsenal, the Gabonese international shared the Golden Boot Award alongside Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah having scored 22 goals in the 2018-19 Premier League season and has odds of 26/5 to be the league’s top scorer once more in 2020.

Arsenal currently sit in ninth in the top flight, having picked up form following a dismal start to the season. The Gunners have netted 40 goals and, incredibly, 20 of those have come from Aubameyang. That just proves the importance of the striker to the London club, even more so when considering that the second-highest goalscorer is Gabriel Martinelli with ten.

Side hitting form

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates scoring his sides first goal with teammates during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC celebrates scoring his sides first goal with teammates during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

With six wins in their last eight league and cup games, Arsenal are beginning to hit their stride under new boss Mikel Arteta. To disrupt that by agreeing to sell their most-prized asset could cause widespread consternation within both the dressing room and the fanbase. The Gunners sit eight points behind Chelsea in fourth and just five behind Manchester United in fifth.

With three Premier League victories in a row, Arsenal had the best form in the league before the present pandemic struck and could easily have chased down the inconsistent Chelsea and Manchester United. The unsettling of their main striker would certainly impact this chase and could lead to yet another year finishing outside the top four for the Gunners.

Would a replacement be adequate enough?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC scores his team's first goal in extra-time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC scores his team’s first goal in extra-time during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Replacing Aubameyang would be an incredibly difficult task for any striker, not least a striker coming into one of the biggest clubs in England and the world. Not only would there be pressure to deliver in front of over 60,000, there would be the added pressure of trying to rekindle the goalscoring prowess of the Gabonese international.

Out-of-favour Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic is said to be in Arteta’s sights, but he is just 22 years old and has netted just twice in 24 appearances. That hardly seems to be a positive replacement for the free-scoring Aubameyang and Real Madrid don’t seem too open to letting him go.

If Arsenal are going to become a regular top-four finisher once more, then Aubameyang must be kept. He is the striker that makes the side tick and losing him could cost the Gunners a place in the Champions League for the next few seasons.