FORMER Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong has urged the club to cash in on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the striker was stripped of his captaincy.

The Gabon international had the armband taken off him on Tuesday due to disciplinary issues after arriving back from an authorised trip to France a day late.

Arteta has opted to leave out the 32-year-old from the recent matchday squads against Southampton and West Ham.

Aubameyang's future at the Emirates is now in question, with Barcelona just one club that could potentially make a move for the ex-Borussia Dortmund star.

And Frimpong, who featured 16 times for Arsenal after graduating from the academy, believes Arteta made the right to decision to remove Aubameyang as skipper.

The 29-year-old told SunSport via Freebets.com: "I feel like in any profession there must be a professional attitude.

"And we all know Aubameyang has had one or two problems with coming late so I feel it was the right call. 

"He’s the captain and there has to be an example so the younger players in the squad can follow."

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Frimpong, who retired in 2019 due to injury, then stated that Arsenal should look to offload Aubameyang in the New Year.

Though he conceded that he fears the North Londoners could be stuck with the player until his contract expires in 2023.

He added: "I think it would be good for Arsenal to cash in. Look at his age, he's getting older, and we need a new striker that we can have for the next five years.

"He’s a great player but this is the best time to cash in. It will be difficult though, as he's on very good wages. It's not going to be easy to get him out."

French centre-forward Alexandre Lacazette has outlined his desire to succeed Aubameyang as captain, but Frimpong is keen for a certain Scottish left-back to be entrusted with the role.

The former Ghana international commented: "I would like [Kieran] Tierney to be the captain.

"I also really like Ben White. I think Ben White can become a future captain for Arsenal.

"Most likely it’s going to be [Granit] Xhaka again which I’m not sure about as we've been there, done that. We need someone fresh. I would personally give it to Tierney for now."

Arsenal are expected to be active in the January transfer window with a striker said to be Arteta's top priority.

And Frimpong believes Dusan Vlahovic would be a perfect fit should they fail to land his dream signing in Borussia Dortmund marksman Erling Haaland.

The ex-Wolves star said: "I like the striker from Fiorentina, Dusan Vlahovic. I think he's a very good player and he'd be my second signing if we couldn't get Haaland."

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