Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Rennes: 5 things we learned – Done and dusted

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal dons a Black Panther mask as he celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 14: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal dons a Black Panther mask as he celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal and Stade Rennais at Emirates Stadium on March 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

2. Aubameyang has his confidence back

It has not been the most productive period for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Missing a couple of weeks through injury, seeing Alexandre Lacazette flourish as a result, and then having to settle for a rotational, lone striker role cannot have been easy, especially when it all culminated in a missed penalty in the North London Derby.

But after scoring his second attempt from the spot in a week against Manchester United, the club’s top goalscorer looked back to his lethal best here. His two goals were prototypical Aubameyang strikes, notching from a combined seven yards, he ran the channels with real energy and purpose, and his endeavour and skill set up Ainsley Maitland-Niles for the second goal.

Most of all, however, he looked confident again. His celebration with a Black Panther mask was proof of that. He also should have scored more, missing two excellent chances late on. Although misfiring is far from ideal, his movement and anticipation to create those opportunities is a sign that he is beginning to come to the boil once more.