Arsenal legend Alan Smith has congratulated the club over their handling of the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer saga.

The Gunners have been criticised for allowing Aubameyang to leave on a free transfer, despite having 18 months remaining on his contract.

But Smith believes Arsenal should be praised for cutting ties immediately with the 32-year-old rather than let the saga drag on, as they did with Mesut Ozil.

"I think this window does show that Arsenal are learning from past mistakes," Gunners legend Alan Smith told Sky Sports.

"Obviously, the Mesut Ozil situation was a heck of a situation for Arteta to inherit. He finally sorted that one out.

"When you look at recruitment it is looking into the character of the player as much as anything. Liverpool have done it brilliantly over the last few years and are a model for most clubs to follow.

"It does sound like Arsenal do now have that recruitment department in a much better shape."