Sol Campbell believes Arsenal’s hopes of challenging for the top four hinge on the form of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gabon international got off to a flying start in North London last season following his record breaking January move from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 10 times in his first 13 Premier League games.

However the 29-year-old has started the new campaign slowly, scoring just once in four games – his solitary goal coming in the 3-2 victory over Cardiff City on Saturday.

Arsenal splashed £55.5 million on Aubameyang earlier in the year after having seen him score an astonishing 141 goals across the past five seasons with Dortmund, and Campbell insists the striker now must recapture his form from Germany if Unai Emery’s side are to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League this term.

“Aubameyang, I know his form from last season,” he said.

“But I think from the start of this season, I think it would be good for him to get off running and get on to his scoring abilities.

“I think his goals will be really vital for Arsenal nudging up and going beyond sixth and hopefully getting that fourth spot. He has to keep on, and Lacazette as well, but I think that he needs to really have a good season.”