Aubameyang’s Arsenal struggles have multiple causes

Aubameyang is Losing His Magic Scoring Touch

The captain is getting fewer chances to score, but he’s also scoring fewer with what he has.

The Newcastle game acts as an example of where he is in his career; the glaring miss in the first half was terrible, but, it happens. It’s not to be excused, of course, but it’s one that can be listed as ‘one of those’. After all, Aubameyang has missed big chances all his career, even when he’s been in the peak of his powers at Arsenal.

It’s one thing having a striker of his calibre and another making signings and tactical alterations that don’t suit him. When he isn’t touching the ball he is never involved outside of his excellent off-the-ball harassing.

Where there is some worry, however, and a fairer reflection of his superpowers fading, is in the chance after the break when Smith Rowe plays him in on goal.

It’s a moment where you stop and can’t help but wonder whether the Aubameyang of two years ago would have scored it. On this occasion it could be argued that the pass is slightly overhit, yet Aubameyang is close to being able to dink it over Martin Dubravka and just lacks that bit of punch needed in his strides to apply the finishing touch.

What’s happening is a combination of the chances not arriving in the same volume as previously, and the striker on the receiving end of them not possessing the same degree of superpower he once had.

It’s both, not one or the other. Give Aubameyang enough chances to score and he will still find the back of the net. The difference is whether he would find it as frequently with the same quantity of opportunities, and the answer is he probably wouldn’t.

Still absolutely devastating in the penalty box, this is more routinely the case of a centre-forward entering the twilight of his career. His energy levels are superb, his leadership and work rate improved, he just lacks the magic scoring touch he once had.

In that Magpies win he recorded a 0.7 xG. If he gets a 0.7 xG every game he will be hitting the numbers this team needs him to be with ease. The obvious problem is, well, that he isn’t, because systemically he’s not consistently getting those numbers, and when he is, he isn’t taking them.

While the overall structure has to provide more though, it might also be worth coming to terms with Arsenal possessing a striker who isn’t who he once was.