Arsenal: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang revealing a new side

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was critical in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa. But not just because he scored. He is now a leader of the team, and that is a new side to his personality.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been the best goalscorer in the Premier League not named Mohamed Salah since he signed for Arsenal a little over 18 months ago. He was the co-Golden Boot winner last year, the Gunners’ top scorer, and, after his freekick secured an unlikely come-from-behind win over Aston Villa on Sunday, has 16 goals in his last 16 games stretching back to the end of last season.

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He has always been a prolific goalscorer. You only need to look at his record at Borussia Dortmund to recognise that. But against Villa, and increasingly more so this season, the centre-forward is unveiling yet another aspect to his character and impact: leadership.

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Take Thursday’s Europa League win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Aubameyang spearheaded a youthful attack consisting of two teenage wingers and a 20-year-old attacking midfielder. He did become frustrated when they failed to feed him, he was encouraging and positive throughout, and he understood his role as a veteran leader within the team.

Then, on Sunday, alongside Matteo Guendouzi in central midfield, it was Aubameyang who inspired Arsenal’s sensational comeback. Of course, he scored the winning goal with a lashing freekick late on, but prior to that, his relentless work rate and insatiable will to win helped drive the team forward. And amongst all the panic and furore of what was yet another Basketball-like game, he had the presence of mind to hand Nicolas Pepe a penalty so that the record signing could open his scoring account.

After the victory, head coach Unai Emery was asked why Aubameyang did not take Arsenal’s penalty. He confirmed that Aubameyang handed it to Pepe:

"“Yes, it’s Aubameyang who is responsible for penalties. Also Lacazette, and today for me is a very big decision from Aubameyang to let Pepe shoot to give him confidence and the possibility to score. Really, the responsibility is Aubameyang and I was happy when I saw that decision from Aubameyang. He is hungry every day to score, to achieve, individual and collective objectives. Today that decision shows a really great player.”"

When he arrived in north London, there were suggestions that he was a dressing room problem in Dortmund, that his character was somehow detrimental to his overall influence. He was described as flamboyant and easily distracted and sometimes selfish, putting his own reputation and success ahead of the team’s. But we have seen very little of that at Arsenal, and in this season, he has even embraced his role as a leader in the squad.

Aubameyang is one of the most experienced players in the team. He has played in three of the top-five European leagues, has excelled in the Champions League, Europa League and now the Premier League, and boasts north of 450 matches in his career. He is also the best player in the squad, perhaps bar Alexandre Lacazette. He is a leader.

With Arsenal once again desperately lacking leadership, Aubameyang has stepped up to the mark. It is not something that many expected he was capable of. He seemingly did not have the personality to do so. But this season, he is unveiling a new side to his game and his character, and it is driving his team onwards.