Arsenal: When it’s good, it’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

It’s amazing what a little confidence can do to a side like Arsenal, in particular a player like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. If only we could keep the good going…

For the past eight matches going into West Ham, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had scored three goals. It’s no surprise that this paired well with Arsenal‘s nine match winless streak. When the going gets tough, Aubameyang rarely gets going, as they say. (They, as in me three seconds ago.)

But on the contrary, when it’s good, it’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. And we saw that in a microcosm against West Ham.

Contrast three goals in eight during the nine match winless streak with the seven goals in seven matches to star the season, way back when we were still in a strong spot to keep hold of a top four position. See where this is going?

Against West Ham, for one whole hour, Aubameyang did nothing. He fired one way off target, that was charming. But other than that, nothing. He could not inspire the change we needed.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Once that change had been inspired by Gabriel Martinelli, Aubameyang came to life and grabbed a rather easy assist, as Nicolas Pepe did all the hard work, and followed up with a goal. It’s like as soon as Aubameyang realized that the game was going well again, that his teammates were playing attractive football, he came to life.

Which, again, is what we’ve come to expect from this team and this player when confidence is called into question.

Aubameyang is much like Mesut Ozil, though Ozil wasn’t able to latch onto the positive upturn in this one. Aubameyang was. We call them luxury players. They do what they’re going to do and they don’t deviate. If you really want their best, you better put enough goodness around them to keep them at their best, otherwise they will become a liability.

Aubameyang would not have scored had Martinelli not scored first. He would not have assisted had Pepe not finished brilliantly. And I’m not saying this to take away from who Aubameyang is as a player. We know good and well who and what he is. I’m just saying this as a gentle reminder that this is, in fact, who he is. For better or worse.

Now comes my cautionary tale—you don’t want that on a team like this. Take him for what he’s worth, sure, but part ways as soon as you can.