A lot of Gooners are debating what the future holds for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal. Some are concerned that last season was the start of a natural decline. Others put the disappointing campaign down to circumstance and form.
We like to dig a bit deeper here at 86Armoured. So in that fashion, I’m going to lay down the facts to see what the future has in store for Auba next season.
Abuameyang peaked at Dortmund
I can say with confidence that we’ve probably seen the best of Aubameyang across his footballing career.
Stat’s show that his peak form was hit in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 seasons while still at Dortmund. He provided a monstrous 96 goal contributions across these two seasons, and has been on a downward trajectory ever since.
His 19 goal contributions from last season rank as the lowest attacking haul since establishing himself at St Etienne on loan. Auba was 22 in the 2011/12 season and still managed 28 goal contributions as a debutant in Ligue 1.
Now, this isn’t to say that Aubameyang cannot improve on his current form, and he could even have another 30+ goal return season. However, at 32, his style of play could explain why Aubameyang’s numbers peaked when he was 26-27 years old.
His game is built around movement and speed, and Dortmund was the perfect team to exploit this. A player typically starts to decline physically between 28-32. Some peak earlier than others (Rooney, Owen), whereas others are late bloomers (Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, Vardy).
Fast-twitch muscle fibre doesn’t last forever, and Auba has definitely lost a few yards. Therefore, even if last season’s poor return was due to external factors and form, Aubameyang’s career will definitely be winding down over the next 2 years.
Arsenal were dismal - Pierre still Contributed to the team
Let us face it, the team was shocking last season. Midfield, in particular, was abysmal. Our attacking build-up is slow and disjointed, and this lack of fluidity limits Auba’s effectiveness. Emile Smith-Rowe was Arsenal’s most productive midfielder. He was also one of the few attacking players to actually have a good season.
He bagged 4 assists as a 20-year-old coming into the team (good enough for joint 19th in the EPL) despite only playing half the season. So it’s no surprise that Arsenal were only the 11th best-attacking team last year. We recorded the worst goals scored (55) and goal difference (16) since the 89/90 season.
Moreover, despite having the third-best defence, Arsenal still lost 13 games and conceded the second-most own goals (4). We also had the second-most red cards in the league (5), so there’s a clear theme of shooting ourselves in the foot.
From top to bottom, the entire team underperformed, in my opinion. We need to address these shortfalls in the transfer window, but I’m not holding my breath.
Tactics
Arsenal don't play to Aubameyang's strengths
The midfield struggled last season. Our attacking build-up is slow and disjointed, and this lack of fluidity limits Auba’s effectiveness.
Emile Smith-Rowe was Arsenal’s most productive midfielder. He bagged 4 assists (good enough for joint 19th in the EPL) and effectively played half the season.
So, it’s no surprise that Arsenal were only the 11th best-attacking team last year. This should be addressed in the transfer window, but I’m not holding my breath.
Aubameyang is at his best when allowed to attack space. He is also very threatening at penetrating a defence and running in behind. By default, our attacking ethos under Mike Arteta completely contradicts these strengths. We operate under a strict positional discipline, so Aubameyang’s range of movement has been stifled.
Auba is also expected to contribute more to the overall play, and that just isn’t his strength. He isn’t able to bring what Lazaette (or Giroud) can to the team. He’s ineffective when facing away from goal and lacks the physicality for hold-up play.
As such, he is far more productive when the team allows him to focus on posing a threat to the opposition. This possibly explains why he has been placed out wide throughout his career.
But, as an ageing player, it might be time to readjust. Contrary to what many think, I actually believe Aubameyang has a decent cross on him. And while he may not be as good as Lacazette, he can contribute to attacking play.
A Change Of Formation Next Season? - New Role For Auba
It’s well known that Arteta wants to deploy a 4-3-3. He’s said as much on multiple occasions and has alluded to lacking the midfield personnel necessary. Therefore, if the club recruits well this summer, Aubameyang’s attacking output should improve.
Auba is a lethal finisher inside 40 yards. And since he also possesses good positional awareness, he isn’t reliant on pace alone to find goal-scoring opportunities. Seriously, if you name a type of goal, Aubameyang has scored it: Long shots, volley’s, tap-ins, solo runs, runs behind, power shots, finesse, lobbing the keeper, even headers – the weakest part of his game.
If we are going to retain possession and play out from the back, we need to do so with urgency and penetration. Once the midfield setup is corrected, Aubameyang’s strength in movement can be utilised to the full effect.
Personal Problems - Disappointment
Aubameyang didn’t look happy last season. He’s carried Arsenal since he arrived in 2018, and the team has become progressively worse each year. Pierre is a human being with hopes and dreams like the rest of us.
He was devastated when we crashed out of Europe in 2020. I think he realised that his last realistic chance of winning major silverware had evaporated. At 32, he knows that time is running out to win major trophies. He hasn’t won the champions league, and he likely never will. The same can be said of a sustained league challenge at Arsenal, and Auba will know this.
You can say what you want about how much he earns, but I’ll repeat, Aubameyang is a human being. I was very frustrated when it looked like he wasn’t giving his all. I’ve also referenced my disappointment with his conduct as Arsenal captain at times.
But hopefully, with some improvement to personnel, he will be back to his old self. An unhappy striker isn’t going to be effective in front of goal, so let’s hope we see Aubameyang with a smile next season.
Even more Personal Problems
I won’t dwell for too long on this. We all know Auba contracted Malaria while on international duty. His mum was also seriously ill. Both of these things occurred in the middle of an already disrupted season.
None of the players had a proper break over the summer or a real pre-season. Games also flew thick and fast to ensure both the Euros, and Olympic games could take place.
IIt was a crazy season all around, and Auba’s campaign was particularly disjointed. This isn’t me trying to make excuses for him. I’m simply saying that a lot was going on behind the scenes that could easily affect performance.
Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang The latest Player left frustrated by Arteta?
Arteta has a real knack for rubbing people up the wrong way. Pep famously fell out with several high-profile players, and Arteta has definitely refined this trait.
More than anything else, Arteta’s decision-making and man-management baffle me. A prime example is the second leg against Villarreal. He hit the post for the second time in the match and was substituted 30 seconds later.
Auba had the same expression on his face as most of us. The gist of it was: WTF is wrong with you? Something went on between the pair before this incident, and I think Auba has his doubts about Arteta like the rest of us.
Is Auba sitting on his contract?
With 2 years left on his deal, I’m going to go out and a limb and say no. This isn’t a repeat scenario or Arsenal offering huge wages to a player (daily star link, I don’t blame you if you don’t click it) and being left with a dud. I think the timing of Aubameyang’s dip in form and signing a new deal are coincidences.
Aubameyang doesn’t appear to me as if he’s checked out and resigned to pocketing a fortune…. yet. I’m not saying this will happen, but I’m not writing it off either. There were signs that Auba was less committed to the cause last season. He was late to the NLD and subsequently benched. And his body language/general vibe didn’t look great at times either.
It has all the makings of a contract saga waiting to happen. However, I’m happy to back Aubameyang and am firmly behind him for next season (unless someone offers us £30m!).
Has lots to offer: At 32 he's definitely in decline.
Let’s sum up all this rambling about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang:
- Auba had a dip in form last season.
- He’s likely in decline due to his age
- He still brings a lot to the squad
- Multiple factors contributed
- No one played well bar Saka, Tierney, Smith-Rowe, and Pepe
- The team needs to improve next year
- Arteta needs to help players find form tactically
That’s all I have for you today Gooners.
As usual, I genuinely want to hear what you guys have to say in the comments.
Also, any feedback you have on my writing style etc… is welcome. Just don’t be a dick. I’ll ignore you if you’re a dick (that’s kind of what she said?)