Arsenal: Aubamayeng needs more than Emi Buendia, but he’ll help

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was individually the most disappointing player for Arsenal last season. Willian doesn’t factor in to the equation. Barring the obvious, no player came under as severe and regular criticism than the captain, with varying volumes of warranty.

Off the back of scoring two trophy-winning goals in the FA Cup final, the club saw fit to make the Gabon international the highest paid player at the club on £350k-per-week for another three seasons. Mapping those three years out, the one with the most substantial expected goal return was the one just passed. He would net 15 in 39 appearances.

The season as whole was a millions miles away from what was aspired, just as it wasn’t anywhere close to numbers hoped for from Aubameyang.

He has struggled. Of this there is no debate. Hitting 12 fewer Premier League goals, accumulating an Arsenal-low shot per minute ratio and racking up 4.6 fewer xG than the previous campaign, the drop off was considerable.

Aubamayeng needs more than Emi Buendia signing in summer transfer window to rediscover his goal-scoring touch at Arsenal, but it will help

Aubameyang outperformed his xG last season by a whopping 7.2, taking tougher shots and converting with greater frequency. This time around, criticisms never previously directed his way have centred around a perceived lack of interest, work rate and regular anonymity. Most well backed.

There are, however, numerous factors that grant him mitigation. The lack of a recognised No. 10 for half of the season, a turgid and uninspired early brand of football conjured up few meaningful chances, a midfield without creative contribution, the family issues he’s had to deal with, contracting malaria and the toxicity and uncertainty around the club as whole have all played their unfortunate part.

Mikel Arteta understands how essential it is to boost his chance creation. While he hasn’t helped himself across the previous campaign, the introduction of Emile Smith Rowe and the loan addition of Martin Odegaard signaled a shift towards a more diverse and forward thinking style of play.

Odegaard has since departed and moves are being made to reinforce the gap he leaves behind. Emi Buendia is the name on everyone’s lips and Arsenal’s desire to push a deal over the line does, for now, look like coming to fruition. £30m has been rejected but it’s widely expected to be added to further until a deal can hopefully be struck.

Will Buendia help Aubamayeng rediscover his goal scoring touch? It’s hard to argue otherwise, yet he needs more than the Argentine to rediscover his form.

Continued…

A Change of Approach Will Help Aubameyang at Arsenal

On the Buendia side of things, Aubameyang will look at the 24-year-old’s numbers and salivate at the thought.

Last season in the Premier League it was, unsurprisingly, Bukayo Saka who registered the most key passes (a pass leading to an attempt at goal) at Arsenal with 38. Second behind him? Willian with 32. By comparison, Buendia registered 122 in the Championship last season, more than any other player.

Factoring in the ‘second division tax’ for balance, in the season before that when Norwich were relegated from the Premier League in rock bottom with 21 points, he grabbed 83; finishing behind only Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the process. Nicolas Pepe had his club’s best at 40.

In a predictable Arsenal side that fed off choreographed goals and overloading wide areas for most of the season – and the brief spell of ‘mathematics-based’ crossing – someone with instinctive ability in all areas around the box can only help Aubameyang. He often found himself shifted out the left and after a positive spell at centre-forward previous issues returned – again many caused by elements beyond his control.

But bringing in a forward who statistically speaking will ‘create more chances’ won’t solely solve the issue. Furthermore, should he arrive there will be a bedding in period where he needs to absorb the manager’s idea, become accustomed to his surroundings and integrate into the group. Buendia will need to learn how Aubameyang operates, too. Him and Teemu Pukki aren’t exactly alike.

Yet in Aubameyang’s case he needs to avoid being so nice. When does he ever get into a position where the ball never arrives and get angry? Being the captain infers he need to offer a degree of support to his teammates, but sometimes he has to be more demanding. Scream for the ball. Insist he isn’t starved of chances.

Can such qualities change in a richly experienced player about to turn 32 who is such a laid back character off the pitch? Likely not. He’s enjoyed a successful career being the player he is. The man he is. We love him for it.

A more ruthless edge is still needed. Accusations of a mental fragility aren’t unfounded and when the going gets tough he isn’t the one face the adversity head on. But, maybe, Arsenal don’t need that right now from him. Maybe they just need him to score the goals. That’s why he’s paid the big money, after all.

And in that case, someone to help feed him may be the best way to get a return on the club’s investment. With Pepe in his best form, Saka an elite, Emile Smith Rowe hitting new heights and Thomas Partey looking to prove his worth coupled with a potential Buendia arrival, maybe that’ll do. If it doesn’t turn the tide, then there is no more hiding.