Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger branded ‘disrespectful’ by Dortmund chief for discussing transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has hit out at Arsene Wenger following the Arsenal manager’s comments on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Gunners are interested in completing a January deal for the Gabon international, who was handed his third suspension inside 12 months by the Bundesliga club last week, and Wenger was asked about the striker in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference on Wednesday.

“Yes, a character can be very positive or very negative,” Wenger said. “Overall you look at achievement over career and if he has done well the character has been used in a positive way.”

However, Zorc has taken exception to the Frenchman’s comments and suggested the Arsenal boss may want to focus on his in-house problems before commenting on other team’s players.

“We think it is a lack of respect when you get involved with players who are playing for another team,” he said on Thursday.

“There is no contact with Arsenal. We can only assume that Arsène Wenger has enough to think about when it comes to the performances of his own players.”

Standard Sport reported earlier this week that the north Londoners are set to launch a £35million approach for the 28-year-old.