Gary Neville has heaped praise on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, claiming that the Arsenal star deserves to be considered as a Premier League great.
The 30-year-old moved his goal tally for the league campaign to 17 after scoring twice during his side’s 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday.
It saw the Gunners captain move level with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy as the joint top scorer in England’s top flight this season after he shared the golden boot with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane a year ago.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta outlined Aubameyang’s importance after the victory at the Emirates Stadium and Neville believes it is time that the forward is recognised as one of the world’s top players.
“You talk about Arsenal lacking character and lacking leadership, I think this guy has got everything you’d want,” said the former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports Monday Night Football.
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“There’s a bit of Ian Wright in him, a bit of nastiness.
“His interviews after a game he shows personality and character, he works hard off the ball, works hard on the ball, and if you look at his minutes per goal in Premier League history, Aguero at the top, Harry Kane, Henry, he’s [Aubameyang] one minute behind Henry.
“Okay Henry played over a longer period of time, [but] he’s ahead of Salah, van Nistelrooy, Jesus who has a great record at Man City mainly off the bench.
“It’s unbelievable his performance over two and a half years. He’s not mentioned as world class, he’s not mentioned as a Premier League great, and I think we have to.”
Aubameyang has scored 49 goals and provided 10 assists in the Premier League since joining Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund for £56million in January 2018.
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Neville admitted that he was among those to have doubts over the Gabon international following his arrival in North London, but said that has changed.
He added: “I think the doubts have got to be removed now on Aubameyang. I feel he doesn’t get appreciated anywhere as near as much as he should do.
“I think it’s getting to the point now where you could argue that he is the top goalscorer in the Premier League over the last couple of seasons.
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“He’s one of the best players we’ve got in the Premier League, but for some reason he doesn’t quite get the credit and the plaudits that others get.
“I think even Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial get more air time than him because of the Manchester United link but his quality performances are at the highest level.
“We’re all guilty of it but I think he’s been absolutely sensational, and he now needs to be given the credit he deserves.”
