Arsenal: 5 talking points from 6-0 West Brom rout

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Auba
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal with the match ball at full time of the Carabao Cup Second Round match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images) /

2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang… is Back?

The Arsenal skipper was back to his Golden Boot winning best tonight with two instinctive tap-ins and a typical curling strike to complete his hat-trick, as he tormented the West Brom defence.

He looked a different player tonight and perhaps the main reason for that is Martin Odegaard. After all, his last hat-trick came with a certain Norwegian playing behind him. Coincidence? Not so sure.

The Norwegian was solid in his creative role as he intelligently knew when to play in teammates to open the spaces for Aubameyang to get into dangerous positions. Many of the elements that you don’t notice are the key ones.

Everything comes with a caveat, of course. This was a very youthful West Brom side who clearly fatigued after their high pressing beginning, yet even so it was the choice of runs that the captain made as well as the energy in his strides that were refreshing.

If this Aubameyang is back for Arsenal, then there are good times ahead. Arsenal’s best chance of a ‘successful’ season is with the 32-year-old scoring. It’s as simple as that.

Just play him through the middle.