Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Aubameyang’s invitation to plunder

Arsenal have failed to win any of their previous three meetings with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. Last season’s dire 0-0 draw was one of the more forgettable encounters.

Facing off against them again on Monday the circumstances couldn’t be much different: the Eagles have a new manager, a host of new players and an entirely different style of play. Arsenal are in a similar vein following their own substantial turnover in personnel.

Hosting a side who now set up to press from the front and play out from the back, Mikel Arteta’s side will be subject to a London derby unlike those partaken in during Roy Hodgson’s reign.

And that suits Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace: Monday’s Premier League match is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s invitation to plunder for Mikel Arteta’s side

A striker of his calibre shouldn’t have selective fixtures where he can profit from. Aubameyang has the quality to score in any match, against any tactical approach and at any game state. Unfortunately it hasn’t been as smooth sailing as that.

In order to achieve any of the goals set out before the season began Arteta would have to find a way to get his centre-forward scoring. Another limp campaign with minimal output will result in further failure. It’s as simple as that.

Investing in Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, two ball-playing central defenders whose progressive qualities and range of pass allow Palace to adopt a higher line, the onus will be on the 32-year-old to plunder those spaces behind and repeatedly stretch the pitch, and as a result, Palace’s lines.

On home soil in front of a yearning Emirates crowd the occasion has to exploited. Arsenal need to begin pressing backlines more often, forcing unstructured play and utilising the technical craft of Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to their fullest effect. Make passing triangles to draw midfielders in and then look for the aggressive runs of Aubameyang in those vacated spaces. Add some invention.

While the goals haven’t been flowing in the Premier League, the Arsenal No. 14 has looked engaged and willing to force issues. Last time in this ground against Tottenham that was the case and it was one of the better displays he’s had in recent times, a trend that must continue.

A lot will be known in the very early stages: who does Aubamayeng press, how does he press them and to what degree of intensity. That’s a tone that needs to be set early doors and carry on with the Gabon international’s endeavour. Go for the jugular and prey on a defence that will be cautious to over extend themselves just as it will be keen to maintain the philosophy Vieira has set out.

It’s a big game for Arsenal Football Club. It’s no different for Aubameyang. Five goals scored in seven matches is a rate that will see this team fall way short of their targets. Time to start leading the charge.