Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only needs to be half of Henry

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has heralded Thierry Henry as his hero and inspiration. But he only needs to be half the player of the Arsenal great to flourish in North London.

Arsenal have signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. I know, I can’t quite believe it either. Admittedly, his arrival was perhaps spurred on by the departure of Alexis Sanchez earlier in the January transfer window, as well as the wholesale of a plethora of reserve attacking talent in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud. But, nevertheless, Aubameyang is now an Arsenal player.

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Now that he is here, the focus of the debate shifts from the transfer to the production: What can be expected of one of the most prolific strikers in world football?

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Well, perhaps Aubameyang provided a nice measuring stick himself when he was asked why he chose to join the Gunners in the first place. Here is the Gabon international providing his reasons for making the move to North London, even though he will not Champions League football, even though the title is now out of reach, and even though the reputation of the organisation does not perhaps live up to a player of his calibre and skill:

"“I think the club has such a big history and great players like Thierry Henry. He’s an example for us strikers. I’m really happy, like I said before. [Henry] was fast and scored a lot of goals. He’s really an example. I’m a fast player and I score goals too, like Henry a little bit. But as I said, I have to work a lot more.”"

Certainly, given their similarities in style, stature — both physically and in terms of their profile –, and the responsibility that will be thrust onto their shoulders, Thierry Henry is a very good guide for what Aubameyang should be aiming for.

Now, he is never going to reach the career heights that Henry did, Arsenal’s record goalscorer. Aubameyang is already 29. But if he can replicate the same kind of blistering form that Henry produced during his peak for a number of remarkable seasons, then this signing becomes an absolute steal.

His price — a reported £56 million — would be especially astonishing when the context of the current market is considered. He is significantly cheaper than Gonzalo Higuain was when Juventus signed him; both Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata were also on the pricier side just this summer, neither of which have been especially cost-effective additions thus far.

Next: Arsenal: Ideal starting XI with Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan

Henry is the best player that I have ever seen with my own eyes in person. His searing pace, his boisterous power balanced so beautifully with a streak of finesse and elegance that elevated his performance above that of the mortal human. Aubameyang will never be as good as Henry. But he doesn’t need to be. If he’s only half as good, then Arsenal will have made a mightily impressive signing.