Arsenal: Keep calm, Aubameyang can still fly on the wing

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will likely face the predicament of being played out on the wing. Here is why Arsenal fans should hold off on criticizing Unai Emery’s decision to do so.

While excited by the recent addition of Nicolas Pepe and the enticing prospect of our new front three, many Arsenal fans are wary about what this could mean for our talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. With the Liverpool game around the corner, fans in comment sections around the web have lamented the possibility of deploying Aubameyang on the left wing.

Although I too believe playing Aubameyang in the central striker role is the most rewarding position for the striker, we should not be quick to believe that playing him on the left is tantamount to clipping his wings. Aubameyang will fly regardless. Indeed, the Gabonese striker is soaring.

Aubemeyang is aging like fine wine. The presumption in football is that a striker’s prime years are typically between the ages of 26-29, after which they begin their decline. Auba transcends this stifling stigma.

Of all the positive performances had during our pre-season tour, Auba was easily the standout. Somehow, it was as if he got faster; his finishing was clinical, and he looked the sharpest of the bunch—by a mile. When he received the ball, he instinctively looked to take on the defender with newfound confidence and verve. This made defenders live in apprehension whenever he looked to dribble at them. Despite being on the wing, he was dangerous. He is dangerous.

The argument is that Aubameyang’s best position is through the middle because that is where he is most productive. Thus, we would be wasting his talent by playing him out wide.

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While this is a solid point, I believe this view is more self-serving of Aubameyang fans than Arsenal fans. While we all want Aubameyang to obliterate the competition for the golden-boot, we must consider what has the best return for Arsenal. Therefore, I counter that the best default strategy is one which includes each Aubameyang, Lacazette, and Pepe. I would much rather a front three that combines for sixty-plus goals and gets us into the champions league than one which prioritizes Auba’s return and risks succumbing to the same pitfalls of last season.

Yes, Auba is not a winger. He is not a natural dribbler of the Pepe variety either; one whose key attribute is their ability to mesmerize defenses with enchanting tricks and flicks. One could further argue that Auba was stifled out wide because of his unfamiliarity with the role. This may be true. However, of late, he seems to have adapted surprisingly well to the position. Indeed, against Burnley, we saw our electric forward pick up the ball on the left-wing before intuitively cutting onto his right foot and converting. Not only was the strike a clinical one, but Auba’s adept shoulder-drop also put Tarkowski in a tizzy. This is evidence that Aubameyang can still be devastating coming off the left.

We can also see that Unai Emery wants his front three to play a system that involves constant rotation. So fret not, it is likely that Aubameyang will still spend a lot of time through the middle. Furthermore, we can expect Emery to continue to adapt the lineup according to the unique challenges presented by each opponent.

After his tantalizing displays so far this season and last, this much seems true – Aubameyang will continue to score wherever he is on the pitch. Indeed, Auba played much of his award-winning season last year on the left in order to accommodate Lacazette and another winger in the lineup. Add Pepe and instinctive creators like Ozil and Ceballos to that mix and the result is surely one that sees the team’s (and Auba’s) chances to score increase rather than diminish.