Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scouting report from BVB Buzz

Arsenal have signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Here is a scouting report from Borussia Dortmund writer Critty Smith on the Gunners’ club-record signing.

Arsenal have signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It is indeed official. And while he is a well-known name that has excelled on the European scene for some time, we wanted to get a more detailed looked at his skills, his abilities, his weaknesses, and how he might suit Arsenal’s style. So we asked Critty Smith of BVB Buzz to give us a scouting report on the Gunners’ latest star striker.

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Aubameyang came to Borussia Dortmund from Saint Etienne. Under Jürgen Klopp, he played primarily as a winger. When Thomas Tuchel assumed the Dortmund reigns, he placed the player at the striker position, revolutionising his game.

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Tuchel helped Aubameyang with his footwork and his timing, while Aubameyang developed his movement off the ball, especially a trademark diagonal run off the shoulder of the last defender. The through ball from teammates is his number one ally when moving towards the goal. Many of his goals are “tap-ins” or short shots in front of goal. He finds space through his tremendous pace and ability to exploit even tight and compact areas in the final third of the pitch.

He has made the transition from winger to striker with success. He has become an effective and deadly goalscorer for Dortmund. Where Aubameyang struggles is his conversion rate. Based on the number of shots he takes, he should score a higher number of goals than he already does, even at the remarkably high level that he has scored at for several seasons.

He is not a clinical striker by any means. It is frustrating watching Aubameyang blow easy chances in front of goal. Eventually, though, he usually slides one past the keeper due to his work rate and a high number of chances.

Perhaps the most obvious weakness to his game is his play with his back to the goal. This has been a glaring shortcoming in his game, which he has never developed, struggling to provide a physical focal point for his team’s attack. For Aubameyang, everything is dependent upon his incredible pace to create his scoring chances.

Additionally, in recent times, his childish attitude has been quite alarming. He has spent more games suspended at Dortmund than he has missed due to injury. His poor attitude has landed him hot water on more than one occasion and what has stirred up much of the transfer rumour surrounding a possible departure.

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Overall, however, based on his statistics, attributes as a player, and work high rate, he has no doubt become one of Europe’s best strikers. He should flourish at Arsenal, especially given the raft of creative midfielders that he will play in front of.

Thanks to Critty Smith of BVB Buzz for this scouting report. You can find Critty on Twitter here: @crittysmith