Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doldrums are a wonderful thing
By Josh Sippie
There was a lot of hubbub when Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but now it’s background news. And that is just perfect.
When Arsenal signed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, it was pretty clear how big of a deal it was. This was statistically one of, if not the, best strikers in the world of football. He was a goal machine, no matter the situation he found himself in and no matter how many people criticized his behavior in his final year at Borussia Dortmund, there was another voice backing him.
That translated into a really promising performance against Everton, where he nicked his first goal and put in a really solid performance. Then the lukewarm effort against Tottenham. And we haven’t seen him since. Nor will we for a bit.
Being cup-tied in the Europa League has left the Gunners taking care of business with Ostersunds FK without the services of their record signing. We actually won’t see him back in action until the Carabao Cup final in seven days.
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Which allows for even more valuable time for Aubameyang to sort of fall into these doldrums around the Emirates following his arrival.
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Let’s just say that despite the mass of hype since the signing, he has yet to make a big splash. And that is entirely down to the fact that he just hasn’t been seen on the pitch. I mean, we signed him, played him later that week, and then went on a two-week Sabbatical from the guy that has effectively turned down the noise.
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Hype is a dangerous thing. Unfulfilled potential can haunt anyone. Take Granit Xhaka, for instance, who was so hyped when he arrived (he’s the next Patrick Vieira!!!!) that he still hasn’t recovered from it. Rather, he suffers from it.
Aubameyang will still face that type of hype, but he will do it after a two week period where all he has had to worry about is buying an enormous house (because that’s all the news has been covering about him).
This is good. This gives the media time to calm down, to focus on other things. Honestly, despite the Aubemayang deal happening just two and a half weeks ago, it has gotten really quiet surrounding him.
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Best case scenario, this kills the hype a bit and removes the pressure. Still good case scenario – it gives him the chance to focus on what’s important. Either way, it’s shaping up to be a subtle boon for a club that will take all the help they can get.