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Arsenal Quarterly Season Report Card: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

By Kenneth Daly

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images) /
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It has been a difficult season for the Arsenal captain.

Since arriving in English football, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been nothing short of sensational. Winning the Golden Boot with 22 goals in his first full season, he matched that tally last season in what was our worst campaign for a generation. Therefore, it has come as a bit of a shock for Arsenal fans everywhere that he has suddenly stopped scoring.

Some have suggested that, at 31, the Gabonese international is past his prime, while others have argued that he has simply lost his hunger following the signing of a lucrative new contract during the summer. Whatever the reason, our skipper has not hit his stride yet this season.

The Good

While the Golden Boot seems a long way off at the moment, Aubameyang has been clinical and alert when finding himself in promising situations.

His positioning and finish at Craven Cottage on the opening day were fantastic, and he held his composure under pressure to bury the decisive penalty at Old Trafford a few weeks ago.

Additionally (as per fbref) he has created more shooting opportunities than anyone else for the Gunners this season, suggesting that his biggest problem is not his finishing ability, but where he is receiving the ball.

Aubameyang is struggling at Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 08: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

The Bad

It is not a bad moment per se, but the dismal 3-0 trouncing by Aston Villa was a dark day for both Aubameyang and Arsenal. It was one of our heaviest home defeats in the Premier League era and also saw Aubameyang fail to register a shot of any description throughout the 90 minutes (fbref).

Failing to register a shot would have been unheard of for much of his time at the club, but it is not all that surprising given the team’s struggles in front of goal lately.

Best Moment- Old Trafford Hero

While he has been very quiet in recent weeks, the highlight of Aubameyang’s season, and indeed Arsenal’s, was the 1-0 victory away to Manchester United.

After 16 long, torturous years at Old Trafford, we finally came away with a win and it was Aubameyang who got the crucial goal. Stepping up to take the penalty after Hector Bellerin had been fouled, the captain smashed it into the bottom corner and avenged the ghost of Jesse Lingard with a celebratory dance number.

When the going gets tough, you need leaders to step forward and deliver. Aubameyang did just that. Mikel Arteta needs him to rediscover his form (and play to his strengths) over the coming weeks.

https://twitter.com/Aubameyang7/status/1328411171087659012

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Arsenal Rating

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