Paul Merson has said that Arsenal have improved defensively as a result of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure and poured praise on Gabriel Martinelli's impact at the Emirates.
Aubameyang was banished from the Arsenal first-team in December after returning late from a trip to France, leading Mikel Arteta to open disciplinary proceedings. He was made to train on his own until a move to Barcelona came to fruition the following month following the termination of his contract.
But since the Gabon international has been out of the picture, Arsenal's form has improved, with a place in next season's Champions League now a very real possibility. A youthful front three involving of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Martinelli, supporting Alexandre Lacazette, has been credited with much of that and Merson believes the defensive contributions of the trio should not be ignored.
