What happened to Aubameyang this season? He has just 6 goal contributions in 18 games as a striker, for a team meant to be challenging for the top 4. To put it in context, Conor Wilson who plays for a relegation-threatened Newcastle team has almost TRIPLE the goal contributions as Aubameyang. Kane who plays for Arsenal’s biggest rivals has almost QUADRUPLE the goal contributions as Aubameyang. So what happened to Aubameyang this season?
Well to start, Arteta hasn’t been able to get the best out of his star man. Mikel instructs his wingers to find crosses into the box. However, Aubameyang’s strengths aren’t as a target man. Aubameyang is much better at getting in behind, beating a player with his pace, and calmly finishing his chances. Arteta has implemented a back 3 system, which has failed his star man and thus failed Arsenal as a whole.
Furthermore, Aubameyang has been impacted by old age. He, like most players, has lost a lot of his pace from his old age. He has lost a major part of his game due to old age. A similar example is Alexis Sanchez who Arsenal managed to get rid of before his expiration date. However, they haven’t had similar luck with Aubameyang and find themselves with a player on a steep decline, out of form, who doesn’t fit the system being paid massive wages at the club.
So what’s next for Aubameyang? How can Arsenal get the best out of him? Well, to put it bluntly, you can’t. Aubameyang is finished at the highest level and his next move needs to be to somewhere like the MLS. Arsenal need to focus on selling him. Or, of course, they could play him at left-back considering Cedric’s performance against Aston Villa. And on that note, this is Jacob King, and I’ll see you at full time.