Arsenal’s highest earners after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang exit as three flops earn fortunes

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks dejected after the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 6, 2021 in Liverpool, England.

Arsenal still have some big flops at the club earning fortunes despite not fitting into Mikel Arteta’s plans.

The Gunners failed to sign anyone in January and instead looked to alleviate a ballooning wage bill with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the biggest profile to leave.

The 32-year-old had been ostracised by Arteta after a breach of discipline and it became evident that he would not figure in his first-team plans.

So after a month of trying to sell the Gabon international, the situation concluded with Arsenal ripping up the striker’s contract and allowing him to join Barcelona on a free transfer.

Aubameyang had been earning £350,000-a-week at the Emirates which had been draining the club of their funds.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Barcelona on a free transfer

But the work has not stopped and there are still plenty of massive pay packets that Arteta would love to put a stop to – including three on mega bucks that hardly feature.

Nicolas Pepe has started just five Premier League matches this season and has made little impact while there were even rumours that he could leave in January.

And the Ivorian is on £140,000-a-week, taking home over £7.2m a year at the Emirates – a massive total considering him lack of impact on the pitch.

Another shunted to the sidelines is Bernd Leno, who saw his first-team post taken by Aaron Ramsdale after he was signed in the summer from Sheffield United.

The German has had to take a backseat as a result but his huge salary has softened the blow and he makes £100,000-a-week.

Nicolas Pepe has failed to score in the Premier League this season at Arsenal

Newcastle were interested in the goalkeeper on deadline day but a transfer failed to materialise and his situation will be revisited in the summer where Arteta will try his best to oust him out the door.

On similar wages but enjoying a more prominent role in the team is Granit Xhaka, who also earns £100,000-a-week.

The Switzerland international is hardly in Arsenal’s good books though after yet another red card in his Emirates career.

In just over five years, the midfielder has been sent off five times while AS Roma remain interested in his services and if Arteta had a ready-made replacement, it is likely he would go.

There is a busy summer of transfers on the horizon for the north London club, who already saw Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Folarin Balogun leave on loan this January while Sead Kolasinac joined Marseille on a free deal.