Manchester United vs Arsenal Preview: Is Aubameyang's form slump because of the Gunners' over-reliance on him?
Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are struggling. His form slump has been headlining sports pages and sites for some time now, and the result is evident as the Gunners have lost two games consecutively. What's alarming is the fact that his slide is reflecting on the side's performance and Mikel Arteta's men are in grave danger of repeating their previous season's dismal performance.
Aubameyang's stats are poor. For a man who inked that whopping £350,000-a-week contract, it is a nightmare come true as his lack of goals has hurt the team. One Premier League goal so far in the season is a number you wouldn't associate with the talismanic forward and Arsenal captain. In six weeks after signing the deal, there is yet to be a performance that justifies the reason for every pound he makes. Prior to the deal, his average was 2.8 shots per game, and now it's one.
The accuracy of the shots has seen a sharp decline from 1.3 to 0.6. Last season it was 22 goals in 36 appearances and now that achievement seems a far cry. It does feel that Aubameyang isn't in the zone right now. One of the possible factors that can be attributed is perhaps the over-reliance on the player to deliver. In a way, this would be sapping especially when a player is enduring a poor run. Those familiar with his style of play know that he is nowhere near the ball nor is there any effort when he gets it.
The intensity seems to have puffed into thin air and with murmurs of a contract being the reason cannot be entirely faulted. If anything, it just adds to the pressure although those watching him in practice would see no dip in performance. Come matchday, it is a different story altogether. That said, what Aubameyang can take heart from is the fact that he is still and will be Arteta's man when it comes to delivering in crunch situations. As far as pressure goes, it is up to him to just go for it rather than dwell on the burden of bad performance.
There is also a question of Arteta probably making one change. Giving him a more attacking position like the previous season would bring in familiarity for Gabon International. "It depends on the game and it depends on who is around him. But it's a very strong possibility to play him as a nine," Arteta said (via tribal football). Should that work, not just will it be Arsenal and Arteta breathing a sigh of relief, but also a challenge for Aubameyang to up his game against teams that mark him continually.
Next up, they travel to Old Trafford to face off against Manchester United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are on a roll and have a red-hot Marcus Rashford with them. The absence of Anthony Martial won't be a cause of concern for the Red Devils with Edinson Cavani showing glimpses of his brilliance. After coming under criticism for playing a conservative style of football, Arsenal has roared back with a 3-0 win over Dundalk in their EFL fixture on Thursday and that hints at a tussle on the cards.
The only question though is to see if Auba can get storm back in style? If so, doing it against the Red Devils might just be what the doctor ordered for the Gunners.
Kickoff is slated for 11:30 am ET, Sunday, November 1, 2020. The game can be watched live on Peacock Premium.