While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to be linked with an exit, a former Arsenal star feels other players should be 'sacrificed'.
The Gabonese's contract is set to expire at the end of the 2020/2021 season, and there has been no indication he will sign a new one.
Arsenal have been in a similar position with Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, but former Gunners star Alan Smith feels the club must do everything in their power to keep Aubamayang.
"But at least Arsenal had the means back then to bring in decent replacements, even though they weren't of the same quality.
"The situation appears different now. Money is extremely tight. Not only that, Arsenal's cachet has changed. No longer a Champions League competitor, they simply cannot attract the same kind of talent as they could in the good years under Arsene Wenger. Sell your best player now and you lose an awful lot.
"Forget about trying to find someone who can do what Aubameyang does. That's impossible, because it costs way too much. Instead, you're looking at potential, something to nurture over the next few years.
"If there's half a chance of persuading Aubameyang to stay, as [Mikel] Arteta hints, the club have got to grab it. Others can be sacrificed, others can be sold, but not this fella. The team is far too reliant on his nose for goal.
"With Alexandre Lacazette struggling and with the injured Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah only just starting out, Aubameyang's departure would leave a huge hole that any possible replacement couldn't immediately fill."
